Zhangye Danxia Geopark
Zhangye Danxia Geopark
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- SusanMilwaukee, Wisconsin9 contributionsGorgeous placeBeautiful place! I’d recommend going, if you get the chance. Bring extra water, and bring an umbrella or wide brimmed hat. I’d also recommend going in the early evening (or early morning) if possible, as it’ll be a little cooler and the light will look better.Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 28, 2024
- SaintPat1976Southampton, United Kingdom150 contributionsWell worth getting up early for sunriseWent at sunrise. Great to see sun come up and then get stronger and bring out deeper colours in the rocks. Bought tickets at 5.30am at park entrance which included bus option. Lots of space for views and photos.Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 10, 2024
- xcschlrMilwaukee, Wisconsin816 contributionsStrikingly colorful mountainsThis is another geopark in Gansu province where visitors must ride the eco buses of the park to go to the scenic spots, but there is no time limit on how long a visitor can stay in each spot, as buses arrive and leave periodically to drop off and pick up visitors. Each spot has its unique character in terms of color combination and shape, and all provide stunning views. We arrived after 7:00 pm and got to see the beautiful sunset behind the colorful mountains. The place left us with such a wonderful memory of beauty in nature.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 27, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Stephen C
Singapore, Singapore1,141 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
This is a UNESCO Geopark. Like most of the national parks, you will gather at a central point and take a bus into the park.
There are four stops in all. You should make it a point to alight and walk around at each of the stops as they offer different views of the park.
The biggest stop is the second one. There is the largest platform from which you can walk around and have a true panoramic view of the surrounding area.
The fourth stop offers the best photo opportunities. It brings you closest to the multi colored rocks and this is a must visit stop for all visitors. Just be warned that there will be plenty of tourists and they’ll be crowding around looking for a photo opportunity as well.
While some say that the best time to visit is at sunrise or sunset, we found the view in the afternoon to be good as well.
There are four stops in all. You should make it a point to alight and walk around at each of the stops as they offer different views of the park.
The biggest stop is the second one. There is the largest platform from which you can walk around and have a true panoramic view of the surrounding area.
The fourth stop offers the best photo opportunities. It brings you closest to the multi colored rocks and this is a must visit stop for all visitors. Just be warned that there will be plenty of tourists and they’ll be crowding around looking for a photo opportunity as well.
While some say that the best time to visit is at sunrise or sunset, we found the view in the afternoon to be good as well.
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan
Milwaukee, WI9 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Beautiful place! I’d recommend going, if you get the chance. Bring extra water, and bring an umbrella or wide brimmed hat. I’d also recommend going in the early evening (or early morning) if possible, as it’ll be a little cooler and the light will look better.
Written June 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kim buay p
Singapore, Singapore12,938 contributions
Sep 2021
I did a guided live-stream tour with Jenny's China Tour on Heygo. The location seems to be quite remote. So I was very happy with this live-stream tour especially since travelling is so restricted nowadays. The guide spoke good English and explained how these layered coloured mountains come about. The tour was about 35-40 mins long. We could take wonderful postcard shots of the views.
Written September 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SaintPat1976
Southampton, UK150 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Went at sunrise. Great to see sun come up and then get stronger and bring out deeper colours in the rocks. Bought tickets at 5.30am at park entrance which included bus option. Lots of space for views and photos.
Written July 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xcschlr
Milwaukee, WI816 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
This is another geopark in Gansu province where visitors must ride the eco buses of the park to go to the scenic spots, but there is no time limit on how long a visitor can stay in each spot, as buses arrive and leave periodically to drop off and pick up visitors. Each spot has its unique character in terms of color combination and shape, and all provide stunning views. We arrived after 7:00 pm and got to see the beautiful sunset behind the colorful mountains. The place left us with such a wonderful memory of beauty in nature.
Written August 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madison C
Sydney, Australia5 contributions
Sep 2020
After approx. an hour from Zhangye you finally get your ticket to this wonder of the world, there would be buses that will take you close to four platforms offering the best viewing of that particular area, basically the higher you climb the better view you get, so you have to be prepared for some good hike so it's a little challenging, it's impressive and breathtaking how the colors of the mountains are beyond description and amazing - I have never seen something like that before.
Definitely a place worthy of visiting.
Definitely a place worthy of visiting.
Written June 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HKHomers
Hong Kong, China22 contributions
Aug 2023
Again this whole Chinese Mass tourism setup, highly regulated, tightly organized. Good or bad? In this case good; contrary to e.g. Yellowstone USA it is great being allowed to hop on/hop off along a fixed route getting the best views.
Some areas underwhelmed e.g. looking into the sun, but other areas were fantastic with the right sunlight enhancing the multi-colored rocks experience.
Overall it's a must-see, famous in China.
Some areas underwhelmed e.g. looking into the sun, but other areas were fantastic with the right sunlight enhancing the multi-colored rocks experience.
Overall it's a must-see, famous in China.
Written August 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe
Bangkok, Thailand4,945 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
The rainbow mountains. An UNESCO heritage sight and one of my absolute best memories from China.
It is a geographic marvel of astonishing beauty. When the sun hits the mountains they really do have a rainbow pattern. You can't actually hike on or climb on the mountains but you do get several viewing platforms which allow you too see different views and perspectives of the scenery.
It's less busy here than you may think, it's a well known spot but it's in remote Gansu province so it's really quite far away. It could be combined onto your 'Silk Road' trip.
If you're in China these really are a must visit
It is a geographic marvel of astonishing beauty. When the sun hits the mountains they really do have a rainbow pattern. You can't actually hike on or climb on the mountains but you do get several viewing platforms which allow you too see different views and perspectives of the scenery.
It's less busy here than you may think, it's a well known spot but it's in remote Gansu province so it's really quite far away. It could be combined onto your 'Silk Road' trip.
If you're in China these really are a must visit
Written October 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
Oct 2019
The magnificent blended seven-colours flowing through the landscape created over millions of years of earthly evolution.
Written October 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michaelp1945
canberra5 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
It is quite easy to travel to Zhangye with the train and plane services that China has. We arrive in Guangzhou and took a connecting flight to Lanzhou. We stayed in Nongken hotel which is a walking distance to the train station. Accommodation wise is okay but the staff is not very helpful. They will not receive parcels or mail even if you have booked to stay in the hotel. We spend a night in Lanzhou and did a half day tour of the sights along the Yellow River there. The next morning we took a train (soft seat) to Zhangye at around 7am. The trains were punctual and we arrive after a 5 hour journey. Took a taxi to Huachen international hotel. Setback is people there do not understand English. There was a travel agency in the hotel and we booked a trip to Zhangye Danxia Geopark the afternoon we arrived. We were taken to Geopark the same evening.
The place is spectular and the local Chinese have learnt about the beauty of the area too. There were lots of Chinese from different parts of China. We chatted with them with our limited Mandarin knowledge. The area is very well managed and there are 4 viewing stations. The park mans the buses and it is a hop on hop off route which gives you control of time you want to spend in each viewing station. The place is great and we cant believe the colours of the hills. It closes at 7pm. We are glad we visited this place before it gets to be as popular as the nine villages. We went in September 2013.
The next day we went to Matisi, a temple in the cave. It is unusual but quite expensive to visit compared to Geopark. We tried the local foods and I like the hotpot. Beef and lamb is the meat they used. You can have a spicey hotpot ar a non spicey one. As we had 2 nights in Zhangye we saw the local tourist attractions like the big Buddha etc.
We took a train back to Lanzhou and flew off to our next destination. I appreciate the efficient transport system in China. It is so convenient to take airport shuttle buses to and from airports and it is so much cheaper than taxis.
The place is spectular and the local Chinese have learnt about the beauty of the area too. There were lots of Chinese from different parts of China. We chatted with them with our limited Mandarin knowledge. The area is very well managed and there are 4 viewing stations. The park mans the buses and it is a hop on hop off route which gives you control of time you want to spend in each viewing station. The place is great and we cant believe the colours of the hills. It closes at 7pm. We are glad we visited this place before it gets to be as popular as the nine villages. We went in September 2013.
The next day we went to Matisi, a temple in the cave. It is unusual but quite expensive to visit compared to Geopark. We tried the local foods and I like the hotpot. Beef and lamb is the meat they used. You can have a spicey hotpot ar a non spicey one. As we had 2 nights in Zhangye we saw the local tourist attractions like the big Buddha etc.
We took a train back to Lanzhou and flew off to our next destination. I appreciate the efficient transport system in China. It is so convenient to take airport shuttle buses to and from airports and it is so much cheaper than taxis.
Written October 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is language an issue? I don't speak or understand Mandarin. Only Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Should I use a tour company, or can I just go there?
Written April 2, 2024
Hi, I saw some review that the ticket is good for 2 days. Can we enter the Geopark twice with the cheaper one ticket for No.1-4 spots for sunset today and sunrise tomorrow morning? Do we need to do anything specially to get the 2 days ticket except paying bus ticket on the next day?
Thanks a lot.
Written August 14, 2023
Меня интересует, есть ли на входах в парк камера хранения багажа. Мы из парка едем в аэропорт. Если есть, то на каком входе?
Written August 16, 2019
Will it be possible to visit in December? Between Dec 25-27? We don't mind the cold. And will be taking the high speed train from Xian. Thanks
Written July 12, 2019
Hi reis73. It is likely to be freezing (below zero) and windy in December so it’s not recommended but it should be possible. I was there in April and it was cold. You could ask them on their Facebook page - Danxia-Landform-Park-Zhangye-Gansu-China
Written July 13, 2019
Best time to visit with regards to weather and crowds of people.
Written September 11, 2018
Best time is early as it opens but also late before the sun goes down. The colors become incredible.
Written September 12, 2018
What is the best month to go there, not too hot, not too wet or cold? How much time should we prepare to spend there? Are the shuttle buses operating there all year round?
Written September 11, 2018
Recommended is during summer times but will be full crowded with local tourists. For cooling weather will be Apr-May or Sept-Oct months. No idea about shuttle bus service but recommend engage local taxi for returns trip. Need at least 3-4 hours to enjoy and walk around the park.
Written September 12, 2018
itzsa
Haifa, Israel
Hello. How do I get from the airport (Zhangye Ganzhou Airport - YZY) to zhangye itself, or better to the Danxia Geopark?
Are there any shuttle buses? Trains?
Thank you.
Written August 29, 2018
Hi, I have no idea about shuttle bus from Ganzhou airport. But there is no train service within Zhangye town centre, you need take cab to Danxia Geopark about 1 hour journey.
Written August 30, 2018
Visto i colore c'è della ferrite nella loro composizione?
Written August 13, 2018
Could you please tell me the name of the hotel close to the park & whether you recommend it?
Thanks
Written July 8, 2018
i dont recall there being a hotel remotely near the place.. its really out of the way. Like the others, i stayed in the city of Zhangye and tripped out from there.
Written July 28, 2018
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