The Most Beautiful Danxia Landforms in China

The Danxia landform is a geographic term which typically describe the unique landforms found in the southeast and southwest China. The Danxia landform features red-colored sandstones characterized by steep cliffs in a valley.

Danxia landform is different from Yadan landform which originates from Uyghur in Xinjiang which means “steep hills”, the landforms which have been formed by years of wind and water erosion. Danxia landform also sets itself from karst landform which consists of limestones and contains caves interconnecting networks. “Danxia” is named after Mount Danxia, one of the most beautiful Danxia landforms in China.

Till Jan 31, 2008, there are totally 790 Danxia landforms found in 26 provinces in China.

In the “China Beauty Selection” activity held in 2005 sponsored by “China National Geography” magazine, the seven most beautiful Danxia landforms were chosen, which are listed as below:

1. Mount Danxia (China Red Stone Park) in Guangdong Province
2. Mount Wuyi (World Cultural and Natural Heritage) in Fujian Province
3. Danxia Landscape in Taining County in Fujian Province

4. Mount Longhushan (cradle of Taoism) in Jiangxi Province

5 Mount Langshan in Hunan Province
6. Zhangye Danxia Landform in Gansu Province
7. Chishui Danxia Landform in Guizhou Province

In 1999, Mount Wuyi entered UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites, both natural and cultural.

In 2010, 6 Danxia landscapes in southern China, with a general name of “China Danxia”, were listed as a World Heritage Site. The six listed Danxia landform sites are: Mount Langshan, Mount Danxia, Taining, Mount Longhu, Mount Jianglang, and Mount Chishui.

The Danxia Landscape in Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province 福建武夷山

See my Wuyi Mountain Trip Report