Yardang National Geopark

Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark is sited in China's Gansu Province, 108 kilometers (67 miles) to the northwest of Dunhuang city. It extends 25 kilometers (15 miles) from east to west and 13 kilometers (8 miles) from north to south. The park is well-known for Yardang landscape, which is a typical wind erosion landform. Yardang in Uygur language means a small mound with steep walls. The area contains 77 ruins and huge rocks formations in sculpted shapes.

It also has a nickname of Devil City because the wind howls when night falls. There is a legend about this area that the park was once a castle, but a god turned it into ruins as penalty for the evil. Lots of explorers come to Yardang National Geopark owing to its unique desert landscape, old legend and bizarre rocks.

Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark is subdivided into the southern region and the northern region. The northern region features Gold Lion Greeting Guests, Sphinx, Peacock Standing Gracefully, and Western Sea Fleet. The first three are all solitary hill erosion and the last is a group lining up like a fleet under sail. There are some bizarre rocks scattered around the northern area. The southern region is larger and dotted with rocks assimulating cartoon characters and traditional Chinese paintings.
Yardang National Geopark Yardang National Geopark

How to Tour Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark

1. Take the shuttle tourist buses for the northern region. During the 1.5-2 hours journey, the bus will stop for 10 minutes at the Gold Lion Greeting Guests and Sphinx, and 30 minutes at the other two spots.
 
2. To get to the southern region, visitors can rent an off-road vehicle at the Western Sea Fleet at a cost of CNY 400 per car. The journey usually lasts for 1.5 hours. It is freer to go sightseeing in this way, and the driver may stop at wherever visitors want.

3. If time permits, make sure you not miss the beautiful sunset over rolling hills. The sunset usually occurs between 6:00 pm ~ 7:00 pm from October to March and 8:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm from April to September. In northern region, visitors can see the sunset at the Western Sea Fleet. There is also a hilltop in the southern region to catch this stunning scene.

4. Due to the large temperature variation between day and night, as well as the windy and dusty weather there, visitors are suggested to ready hats, sunglasses, and jackets.
Yardang National Geopark Yardang National Geopark

How to get to Yardang National Geopark

1. You can take a western line bus in front of Dunhuang Hotel on Mingshan Road to the Yardang National Geopark. The bus will stop at Dunhuang Old City, Western Thousand-Buddha Caves, Yangguan Pass, Yumenguan Pass, Great Wall ruins in Han Dynasty in the midway. Take note that there are only three buses per day.
 
8:00 - 17:30 CNY 76
9:00 - 22:30 CNY 86 including sunset view
12:00 - 22:30 CNY 86 including sunset view
 
2. Charter a car through your hotel at a price of CNY 400 - 600.
 
Entrance Fee CNY 50;
Half-price ticket for children of 1.2 -1.4 meters (3.9 – 4.6 feet);
Free of charge for children below 1.2 meters.
Shuttle Bus Ticket  CNY 70
Opening Hours   6:00 - 22:00
- Last updated on Apr. 15, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on Yardang National Geopark
Asked by Fiona Fitwi from GB | Jul. 23, 2019 20:23Reply
Yardang National Geopark Transport
We will be in Dunhuang for a very short time and would like to visit this park in the morning before out flight at 16.50pm. Is this possible?

1. Is there any way to get transport just straight to the park and come back?
2. How long is the journey to the park from Mingshan Road?
3. How much would the travel cost?

Thank you! :)
Answers (1)
Answered by Liam from USA | Jul. 29, 2019 18:23
00Reply


You can take a western line bus in front of Dunhuang Hotel on Mingshan Road to the Yardang National Geopark. It takes around 2.5 hours. I haven't found the ticket price but I guess it will not be too high.
Asked by Arolina from MALAYSIA | Jun. 04, 2019 08:49Reply
Accessibility in Gansu Province
Is it easy to travel around in Gansu and especially Zhangye Danxia Geographical Park, etc. What is the recommendation mode of transport for capturing the scenic areas, if any, while travelling on the highways, if there are.

Secondly, are the local 4* hotels good for a reasonably clean n comfortable stay.

Wish to see the ‘rainbow mountains’ but unsure how safe and comfy it is.
Answers (2)
Answered by Jesse from AUSTRALIA | Jun. 04, 2019 19:54
00Reply


Generally, the public transportation is not very convenient and it is more recommended to hire a private car to travel. Most hotels are good but in some scenic areas, it is not easy to find a good hotel.
Answered by Stafuncia from ITALY | Dec. 22, 2019 09:06
00Reply


Public transport is not convenient in Gansu? Buses as train are clean, cheap, punctual and available, all over Gansu. When was last time last time you traveled by public transport
In Cina?
Asked by Jacklyn from USA | Nov. 27, 2018 06:30Reply
Bus to Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark!
I will be in Dunhuang on Dec 17 and i want to take Bus at 9am (costed 86¥ with sunset view) to Yardang as mentioned above. Do i have to reserved tickets in advance (if so, where do i make the reservation)? And is that included the returning trip to Dunhuang, or do i have to take another bus back?
Thank you
Answers (2)
Answered by Vinson from SINGAPORE | Nov. 27, 2018 22:26
00Reply


Yes, you need to reserve in advance. You can go to the hotel to consult and reserve. The returning trip is included and you don't need to take another bus back.
Answered by Jacklyn from USA | Nov. 28, 2018 01:27
00Reply


Thank you!
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