Welcome to the vivid and vibrant Zhangye Danxia National Geopark is one of the most beautiful landforms in all of China. Known for its vivid kaleidoscope of rock formations, these striking hills can be found in the northwest part of the country.
The Zhangye Danxia National Park is located in the northern foothills of the Qilian Mountains, in the counties of Linze and Sunan.
This is under the administration of the city of Zhangye in Gansu province. The main areas of the Danxia landform, are in the Kangle and Baiyin townships.
The naturally formed landscape is alive with shades of blue, emerald, green, orange, red and yellow. There is a full seven differentiations of color. The feature has been given the monikers the eye candy of Zhangye and China’s Rainbow Mountains.
A vast area of color can be seen in the endless valleys punctuated by a number of waterfalls, that continue for miles. The numerous scenes often reminds visitors of an impressionistic painting, with a riot of distinct variations.
Zhangye Danxia National Geopark also known as China’s Rainbow Mountains actually took over 24 million years to form and can be dated back to the Cretaceous age. Formed from red-colored sandstones and conglomerates, the entire area is a unique illustration of petrographic geomorphology.
The special geological structure combined with long-term desert conditions,freeze-thaw peeling as well as water and wind erosion created the incredible features seen at the Rainbow Mountains.
Zhangye Danxia National Geopark’s History
Zhangye Danxia National Geopark involves various erosion activity, oxidation and tectonic plate activity. The effect is similar to a layer cake. Rain, wind and eons of time sculpted exceptional shapes, that include pillars, ravines and towers with endless patterns and sizes.
The numerous rock formations resemble a assortment of imaginary shapes like mythical creatures, castles, palaces and distant cities.
Their peaks looking through the clouds and mist at times, display a mirage like scenery, of fantastical pavilions and mountains.
Six of the landscapes in the park were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. Recently, a series of access roads and boardwalks, have been constructed to allow greater tourist exploration of these rock formations.
After rainfall, the colors become even more vibrant, so it makes for a good time to visit. There’s also an awesome mineral museum at the park entrance.
The park has become far more restricted in recent years and is limited to specific areas. For many visitors, the best places to observe the landforms, are from the four viewing platforms. 
The first platform is about a 10 minute walk from the main gate. The second is a further 10 minute walk. The third is about another 8 minute walk. Here you will see the famous Seven Color Fan.
The second and fourth stations, are the most popular ones. The fourth platform allows one to see the Seven Color Mountain (Qicai Shan), with the best time for viewing at sunrise or sunset.
If you’d like to see more of Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, you can rent the services of drivers who operate licensed sightseeing cars. The total distance between the platforms is about five miles and you should allocate around two hours or so to finish the whole trip.
Location
The Zhangye Danxia National Geopark is about 30 minutes west by car, in the northwestern portion of Gansu Province. You can take a bus from Zhangye to the park which are quite reasonable, or hire a taxi.
The best time to visit Zhangye National Park is from June to September, when the weather is comfortable. The combination of a strong sun and a little rain, brings out the colors more. Do not go when it is raining or cloudy, as sunshine is needed for the best viewing of the color gradations.
The rest of the year is quite dry. The Park is well below freezing and windy in the winter. Visiting is not recommended at this time of the year. The best time to visit is in the morning and especially in the evening, where the color variation changes continuously.
Where to Stay
Is available in the nearby community of Zhangye. One can also stay in the nearby yurts, just 600 meters from the entrance, if one is feeling adventurous. They are known as the KaoShan Luxury Tents.
Marcello Arrambide considers himself a fanatical entrepreneur. During his younger years, when CD burning software first came out, he burned CD’s and sold them for $5 to $10 a piece, worked at a bakery and took the leftovers to school and sold them to students for breakfast the next morning. He flew to New York City and found a contact in China to have purses and wallets shipped him directly to sell.
He has since tried sales, real estate, software and day trading, where he coaches others to learn and develop their skill in the market. He plans to show everyone how easy living and moving overseas can be on your own terms as long as you have high speed internet and a computer.
