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.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.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