Discovering the Rainbow Mountains in China

The beauty of certain landscapes found on our planet sometimes reaches such dimensions that they seem to be taken from an artist’s imagination rather than the result of nature’s patient work over time.

Danxia National Geological Park in China, Rainbow Mountain

In this regard, one of the most extraordinary places in the world is likely China’s Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park.

The Supernatural Colors

Zhangye Danxia Park is renowned for the unusual colors of its rock formations, which are smooth, sharp, and reach several hundred meters in height. They result from deposits of sandstone and other minerals that formed over 24 million years ago.

The outcome, resembling the layers of a cake, is linked to the same tectonic plates responsible for creating parts of the Himalayas. Wind, rain, and time have sculpted these mountains into unique shapes, such as towers, columns, and ravines, with various colors, patterns, and sizes.

The Diversity of China’s Geography

China is a vast, continent-sized country. It’s no wonder, then, that across its immense territory, you’ll find a highly diverse geography, ranging from dense forests to vast deserts, rich rice fields, and high snowy mountains.

This time, we pause in a corner of Gansu province, in the northwest of the country, to get up close with the intriguing Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, covering a small area of 500 square meters.

The Secret Behind the Colors

The rounded Qilian Mountains in the middle of the park appear covered in magical dust as visitors walk along the trails. The quickest explanation tourists would find before beginning to photograph these shades of blue, green, yellow, and red might be magic.

However, it’s not magic but science that lies behind these beautiful scenes later going viral on Instagram.

The key lies in the differential accumulation of clay sediments over time. These sediments of lacustrine, fluvial, and marine origin (about 24 million years ago, a large body of water covered the area) formed layers that are now clearly distinguished by their colors and grain sizes.

A Treasure of Humanity

Zhangye Danxia Geological Reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. The term “danxia” in China is used to describe landscapes characterized by reddish hues.

They usually coincide with steep landscapes featuring a geomorphology of ravines, valleys, waterfalls, and cliffs. These formations result from geological forces related to terrestrial tectonics but are then shaped by climatic erosion.

In the case of Zhangye Danxia National Park, its mountains were formed by the movement of the Indian plate, and they were subsequently smoothed by millions of years of rain and wind.

The sediments acquired their colors through a process of mineral oxidation due to humidity and erosion. Depending on the type of material, the earth ends up painted in one color or another.

For instance, sandstones rich in sulfur minerals give rise to yellow areas, limestone contributes to white sediments, claystones provide a reddish touch, and copper oxide imparts a greenish color.

An Astonishing Geological Legacy

Established as a National Park in 2011, this geological reserve amazes visitors with its colorful sands that cover the mountains, creating a peculiar rainbow. Due to a geological quirk, different minerals and materials came together to paint a canvas that took millions of years to complete. The result is truly marvelous.

A Place That Evokes Admiration

For the locals, these colorful rock formations of sandstone and conglomerates are known as “Danxia landforms.” For us, it’s a natural wonder that showcases the vibrancy of a mountain filled with colors that captivate, astonish, and attract us.

Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park is a geological and visual treasure that reminds us of the majesty and beauty of our planet. Its million-year history and unique colors make it a must-visit destination for any nature and geology enthusiast. Visiting this place is like immersing yourself in a living Earth canvas!