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Top 10 Amazing Facts about Rainbow Mountains, Zhangye

Linze, Zhangye, Gansu, China. Photo by: Han Lei- Wikimedia.

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park is located in Gansu Province, China, in the eastern foothills of the Qilian Mountains. The geological park contains a stunning Danxia (/dan-sshyaa/’red cloud’) landform area covering approximately 50 square kilometers (19 square miles).

The Danxia landforms are a natural masterpiece. The vibrant mountain ridges resemble an overturned palette from heaven.

Our guides know the best viewing platforms and routes to take to see the most scenic parts of this area. The Rainbow Mountains of China may appear to be something out of a Dr. Seuss story — or, as locals say, “God overturned his palette” — but they are real.

1. Red rocks and rainbow ridges 

The Danxia scenery of Zhangye has many steep red cliffs, the majority of which are several hundred meters high, as well as multicolored ridges of weathered structures that sometimes extend to the horizon.

These structures, which are sometimes smooth and sometimes sharp, stand out against the plains’ greens and grays, looking grand and magnificent, vigorous and virile.

A kaleidoscope of numerous red rocky outcrops resemble unique and mysterious shapes like castles, cones, towers, as well as humans, creatures, birds, and beasts across the Danxia landscape zone.

Their peaks, visible through the mist and clouds, create a mirage-like landscape of fantastic mountains and pavilions.

2. Why are there colorful layers in the Zhangye Danxia scenery?

Rainbow Mountains, Zhangye. Photo by: Terry Wu- Wikimedia.

The location was once part of the ocean about 540 million years ago. The land folded and formed mountains as a result of tectonic plate collision, and it rose above sea level.

When rivers formed in the area, red sandstone was deposited. Mudstone was deposited on the red sandstone as the ground sank into a basin. Various sedimentary rocks were formed over time that contained varying amounts of ferrous salt in the mud and stone. This is why the layers are colored differently.

The movement of the Himalayas raised the region and caused rivers to form. The early Danxia landscape was formed as a result of river erosion. River erosion and wind erosion formed the colorful layers we see today after further geological periods.

This is the main attraction that draws visitors from all over the world. The colorful layers are what gave rise to the name “Rainbow Mountains” for the Zhangye Danxia landform area.

3. How to get to Zhangye Danxia Park

The Danxia National Park is located in Gansu Province, northwestern China, about 30 minutes west of the city of Zhangye. Alternatively, you can go to the city bus station first and then take the bus to the park.

4. The very 1st viewing platform (Called colorful meeting fairy platform)

The first viewing platform is the largest and closest to the entrance, about a 10-minute walk away. To get to the viewing platform, you don’t have to walk up many steps. It’s almost at ground level, with views of the high, colorful mountains.

Use your imagination to see Monks Worshiping the Buddha, huge “scallops,” Monkeys Rush into the Sea of Fire, and Rainbow Hill in the mountains.

5. 2nd platform for viewing (Called colorful sea of clouds platform)

Buildings in Zhangye National Geopark. Photo by: Terry Wu- Wikimedia.

At this point, there are two platforms: one at the bottom and one at the top of a hill. It only takes a few minutes to walk to the bottom platform, but it takes a lot of effort to get to the top. A sleeping beauty-shaped mountain can be seen from the base platform.

The highest viewing platform is on the top platform. It has 666 steps and takes approximately 30 minutes to climb. The winding wooden path to the top platform resembles the Great Wall of China. You can photograph the panoramic view from the top. It’s also a great place to relax and watch the sunset.

6. 3rd platform for viewing (Called colorful embroidered platform)

Danxia Zhangye Third Platform for Observation Scenery from the third observation platform. The famous “Seven-Color Fan” can be seen from the third viewing platform. The mountain appears to have been painted with a vibrant palette. The pastel colors of the vast rolling hills are very relaxing.

7. 4th viewing platform (Colorful clouds platform) 

The best view is from the fourth viewing platform. It is located on a ridge that runs east to west. Looking south from the ridge, you can admire the vibrant colors of Qicai Shan (/chee-tseye shan/ “Seven-Color Mountain”). It is an excellent location for photographing a sunrise or sunset.

8. Excavations for Archaeology

Over millions of years, weathering and erosional processes created the sheer rainbow mountains that can be seen today, exposed by faults.
This landscape was created by a specific geological park sequence, tectonic backdrop, climatic conditions, and erosional processes.

This geology can be seen in China’s Danxiashan Geological Park, which spans 112 square miles (290 square kilometers) and includes streams, forests, and towering Danxian rock formations. Rainbow Mountain was designated a geopark in November 2011, and it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.

9. Site attraction

Tourists swarm to Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, which has been named multiple times as one of China’s and the world’s “most magnificent” tourist attractions.

An admission fee is normally payable while discovering the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park in all seasons except winter, and to see the beauty of the mountains at their best, it is recommended to visit on sunny mornings or at sunset.

10. How to see the Rainbow mountains

Colourful mountains of the Zhangye National Geopark. Photo by: Terry Wu- Wikimedia.

Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park is about a 30-minute drive from Zhangye in Gansu Province, northwestern China. It is also reasonable to take the bus to the park.

“The park has five sightseeing platforms, but the first is the largest and the closest to the entrance, at about a 10-minute walk away,” China Highlights explains. “There aren’t many steps to get to the viewing platform.” It’s basically at ground level, and from there you can see the high, colorful mountains.”