The Rainbow Mountains, also known as Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, are located in Gansu Province in northwest China. This extraordinary natural landscape is known for its colorful, multi-hued rock formations that look like rainbow stripes on the mountains. The park covers an area of more than 200 square miles and features stunning ridges, peaks, and valleys made up of red, orange, yellow, green, and purple colored sandstone and mineral deposits. The Rainbow Mountains have become a popular destination for photographers and travelers who want to see this unique geological phenomenon in person.
Location of the Rainbow Mountains
The Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park containing the Rainbow Mountains is situated near the city of Zhangye in Gansu Province. Zhangye is an oasis city in the Hexi Corridor, a long, narrow valley running northwest-southeast between the Tibetan Plateau and Gobi Desert. The Rainbow Mountains are located approximately:
- 150 miles west of Zhangye City
- 250 miles southwest of the provincial capital Lanzhou
- 435 miles northwest of Xi’an City in Shaanxi Province
- 750 miles west of Beijing
More specifically, the Rainbow Mountains span the Linze and Sunan counties of Zhangye City in the southwestern portion of Gansu Province. The park can be accessed by road by taking Highway G30 from Zhangye towards Dunhuang, then turning onto the provincial roads leading towards the mountains.
Geological Origins and Formation
The stunning multicolored rock formations of the Rainbow Mountains originated through sedimentary deposition and erosion over millions of years. Specifically:
- 200-400 million years ago during the Triassic and Jurassic periods, layers of various colored sandstones and mineral sediments were deposited in an ancient lake bed. Red beds, green shales, and purplish sandstones built up in horizontal layers.
- Later, the Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate, forcing the Tibetan Plateau upwards. This created the Hexi Corridor valley and started compressing and folding the rock layers.
- Wind and water erosion sculpted the folded rocks into dramatic ridges, hills, and ravines. The differing resistances and densities of the various colored rock layers led to the unique rainbow-like banding patterns.
These erosional forces are still at work today, continually shaping the rock landscape over time. The combined geological processes created this extraordinary scenic area unlike anywhere else in China or the world.
Landscape Features and Terrain
The Rainbow Mountains contain a range of unique geological landforms and features due to the folding and erosional patterns on the colorful rock layers. Some of the distinct landscape characteristics include:
- Stratified Ridges: Parallel bands of red, orange, yellow, green, and purple sandstone have been eroded into long, stepped ridge lines crisscrossing the park.
- Peaks: Dramatic cone-shaped peaks tower above the valleys, some reaching heights over 600 meters.
- Mushroom Rocks: Unusual mushroom-shaped pillars and towers formed through differential weathering stand solitary or in groups.
- Cliff Faces: Sheer sandstone cliff sides show detailed cross-sections of the colored rock bands.
- Gullies and Ravines: Narrow cuts and valleys wind between the rocky ridges, often with small streams running through them.
In addition to the very visible rainbow-banded formations, the park also contains more subtle buff, gray, and white colored rock layers in sections. These all combine to create a visually stunning landscape filled with otherworldly shapes and textures.
Notable Specific Sites
Within the expansive Rainbow Mountains park, there are a few particularly noteworthy geological formations and sites. Some of the top spots that visitors aim to see include:
- Sixty-Four Stratum Peak: This 670 meter tall peak has 64 visible multicolored rock bands striping its slopes.
- Colourful Fairy Mountain: A ridge named for its resemblance to a colored fairy landscape in Chinese mythology.
- Red Hill: A completely red-striped mound said to look like a legendary red dragon.
- Siguniang Valley: A scenic valley with U-shaped cross-section and colorful rock layers named after the Four Girls Mountains legend.
- Helan Mountain East: Extensive reddish mountain slopes and rock formations rising behind Danxia Temple.
In total, there are over 20 named peaks and formations throughout the park that make for stunning photography spots.
Best Times to Visit
The Rainbow Mountains can be visited year-round, but the best times are generally during the spring and autumn seasons. Here are some pros and cons for visiting in different seasons:
| Season | Pros | Cons |
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| Spring (March – May) |
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| Summer (June – August) |
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| Fall (September – November) |
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| Winter (December – February) |
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While the Rainbow Mountains are beautiful year-round, the best compromise of pleasant weather, accessibility, and fewer crowds is in the spring and fall seasons. Summer and winter have more weather extremes, but can still allow you to experience the colorful mountains uniquely.
How to Get There
Reaching the Rainbow Mountains involves first traveling to Zhangye City, then taking ground transportation to access the park itself. Here are some tips for getting there:
- To Zhangye City: You can fly to Zhangye Ganzhou Airport from major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi’an. There are also direct trains to Zhangye from Lanzhou, Jiayuguan, and elsewhere.
- From Zhangye to the Park: The Rainbow Mountains are about 70km south of Zhangye City proper. Many tour companies offer direct shuttle buses from Zhangye hotels to the park entrance.
- Within the Park: To explore the full extent of the park, having a car is ideal. You can also hire a driver or join a guided tour. Hiking between sites is possible but distances are far.
It’s recommended to visit the Rainbow Mountains on a multi-day guided tour or self-driving tour. This allows you to visit multiple sites and hike various trails without having to go back to Zhangye each night.
Tickets and Fees
There is an entrance fee to access Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park. Current ticket prices are:
- April 1 – October 31: 150 RMB per person
- November 1 – March 31: 120 RMB per person
Children under 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) can enter for free. Discounts are available for students, seniors, military, and disabled visitors.
Parking fees are 10 RMB for cars and free for large buses and tour coaches. Electric carts can also be rented to travel to sights from parking lots.
Keep your ticket after entering, as it grants access for multiple days. Tickets can be bought at the site or online in advance.
What to See and Do
There are many activities and ways to experience the beauty of the Rainbow Mountains, including:
- Photography: The number one activity is taking photos of the colorful geological formations. Sunrise/sunset are peak times.
- Hiking: Trekking through valleys and up ridges allows you to see the landscape up close.
- Biking: Cycling around the park is a great way to cover more ground.
- Camping: Camping is allowed, letting you stay overnight among the mountains.
- Boating: Rent boats to cruise along the Black Water Lake reflecting the rocky hills.
- Birdwatching: Spot unique bird species that inhabit the valleys like red-billed choughs.
- Sand sledding/boarding: Slide down sand dunes on sleds or sandboards.
Guided tours and self-driving is recommended to access the best overlook spots. Give yourself ample time to immerse in the full beauty.
Key Safety Tips
When visiting the Rainbow Mountains, follow these tips to stay safe and respect the landscape:
- Wear sturdy shoes for hiking uneven trails. Bring water/sun protection.
- Watch your step around steep drop-offs with no guardrails or fences.
- Beware of altitude sickness symptoms as the park is over 9,000 feet elevation.
- Do not climb on or deface the rock formations and land.
- Stay on marked trails to avoid getting lost or triggering erosion.
- Hire experienced local guides if doing more adventure activities.
Use caution when visiting, as the beautiful formations pose real hazards. Follow park rules to preserve the Rainbow Mountains for future generations.
Where to Stay Nearby
There are a few lodging options both nearby the park and back in Zhangye City. Popular options include:
- Zhangye Grand Canyon Hotel – Located at park entrance, offers modern rooms with mountain views.
- Yuguang Zeerge Hotel – Sister property just 5 mins from the park with similar amenities.
- 7 Days Inn Zhangye Danxia Park – Budget hotel with basic rooms about 15 mins drive from park.
- Hotels in Zhangye City – More plentiful lodging about 1 hour drive away.
- Camping – Tent camping available in some areas inside the park.
Book well in advance during peak seasons. Zhangye City offers more options but farther from the mountains themselves.
Where to Eat
Dining options are somewhat limited, with many visitors packing snacks and water. On-site eateries include:
- Restaurants at Zhangye Danxia hotels – Offer standard Chinese fare like noodles, soup, rice, vegetables. Limited menus.
- Rainbow Mountains Food Court – Collection of small restaurants near the park ticket office area.
- Zhangye City – Over 1 hour away but with many more restaurant choices.
There are also small stores selling snacks and drinks inside the park. Overall options are basic, so best to come prepared with your own food.
Tips For Visiting
To have the best experience seeing the Rainbow Mountains, keep these tips in mind:
- Visit in spring/fall for nicest weather conditions.
- Stay for 2-3 days if possible to see more areas of the park.
- Get to overlook spots early for sunrise when skies are clearer.
- Hire a knowledgeable local guide to lead you safely to top sights.
- Photograph a variety of angles and times of day for epic pictures.
- Wear clothing that contrasts the colorful rocks for great photos.
- Bring plenty of water, snacks, sun protection, layers, sturdy shoes.
- Be prepared to walk/hike far distances between formations.
Taking the time to properly explore the full Rainbow Mountains park will allow you to fully take in the beauty of this geological wonder.
Conclusion
The Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park are truly one of the most extraordinary landscapes found anywhere on Earth. The vibrantly colored and bizarrely shaped sandstone formations look otherworldly yet are the result of natural geological processes over millions of years. Located in Gansu Province, the rock rainbow ridges, peaks, and ravines demand to be seen in person. Photographers flock to capture the perfect images, especially during sunrise and sunset when the colors glow. While the mountainous park can be visited year-round, spring and fall tend to have the mildest weather and fewer crowds. Zhangye City provides access to the site, where you can stay in local hotels or camp overnight among the formations. No matter how you experience the Rainbow Mountains, they are sure to leave you in awe and eager to admire them from every possible angle. This surreal place demonstrates the stunning creativity of geology and merits a spot on any traveler’s bucket list.
