Don't know how to explore Dunhuang Yardang? This ultimate guide will take you on a wonderful tour of Yardang!

Time flies, half of 2020 has passed, and summer vacation is coming. Have you carefully planned a trip to relax? If you haven't decided where to go yet, Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark would be a great choice. On this magical land of Dunhuang, nature has created a wonderland – Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark. The uniquely shaped and neatly arranged Yardang landform community is a natural sculpture gallery.

It was approved by the Ministry of Land and Resources in December 2001. A plaque was awarded in Beijing in February 2002. It officially opened to visitors in August 2003. In November 2006, it was rated as a 4A-level tourist attraction by the National Tourism Administration. Most notably, the Dunhuang World Geopark, with the Yardang scenic area as its main park, was successfully declared in September 2015. This made it the first in Gansu Province, the 32nd in the country, and the 113th World Geopark in the world.

Yardang landforms are widely distributed across China and the world. In China, they are mainly found in Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia. Globally, they are mainly distributed around the equator because the climate there is dry and hot – exactly the climate type needed for their formation. The Dunhuang Yardang landform is the largest, most maturely developed, and most visually impressive Yardang landform community discovered so far in the world.

Ø The distance from Dunhuang city to Yardang is about 160 kilometers. It's a long trip, so it's recommended to charter a car. The cost is around 500 RMB (including the Yumen Pass attraction). (Self-driving is also possible.)

Ø After entering the scenic area by car, you can only park at the Yardang Longcheng parking lot. Visitors take the scenic area sightseeing bus together, and a guide provides commentary along the way.

Ø Ticket price: 50 RMB; sightseeing bus within the scenic area: 70 RMB

² The scenic area offers discounts on tickets with relevant concession certificates. For the sightseeing bus, children under 1.2 meters are free, and everyone else pays 70 RMB each.

² The scenic area's off-road vehicle service is available. If needed, you can take it near the rest area at North Zone Point 3, at your own expense.

Ø Due to the dry and hot climate, it is recommended to bring drinking water, sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.

Ø Due to the large temperature difference between day and night, bring a light jacket.

Ø Since the Yardang bodies are earthy yellow, it is recommended to wear bright clothes, such as red. You can also bring ancient costumes, silk scarves, etc., for great photos.

Ø Visiting Yardang at different times gives different experiences. Generally, the best times are morning and afternoon.

Ø The Yardang bodies are made of lakebed sediments and are relatively soft. Do not carve or climb on them during your visit.

Ø The black Gobi plays a role in protecting the Yardang. Please stay within the railings.

Ø Yardang exists in the Gobi desert. It's easy to get lost when immersed in it. Follow the guide's arrangements and visit within designated areas.

"Yardang" is a specific term describing this type of wind-eroded landform. In Uyghur, it is "Yardang," meaning a steep earth mound with a flat top, or a steep hillock. At the beginning of the last century, the famous Swedish geographer and explorer Sven Hedin led a team to investigate Lop Nur in Xinjiang. They discovered large areas of such mound landforms on the outskirts of Lop Nur. The local Uyghur guide told Sven Hedin that this place was called "Yardang." He recorded this term in his work "Central Asia and Tibet" and spread it. Later, Chinese scholars simplified the transliteration to "Yadan."

The regular route in Dunhuang Yardang scenic area visits four attractions in the north zone: Golden Lion Welcoming Guests, Sphinx, Peacock Standing Gracefully, and West Sea Fleet. Some people choose to take off-road vehicles to explore deep into the south zone.

Dunhuang Yardang landform is like a medieval ancient city. This peculiar castle is the result of geological changes, natural wind carving, and sand cutting – a masterpiece of nature's uncanny workmanship. The entire Yardang landform group varies in height, is well-arranged, and orderly. Each Yardang landform has its own shape, strange and diverse, vivid and lifelike.

3. Unlock new ways to play Yardang

1. Best sunrise and sunset

On a clear day with a gentle breeze, the azure sky is cloudless and very clean. Looking into the distance, the rising sun, a few morning clouds, golden light shining in all directions, and a myriad of scenes. In the evening, the huge red sun slowly sets westward, with a gentle breeze around and brilliant sunset glow overhead – a true gift of nature.

The Yardang scenic area opens for ticket entry from 6:00 to 19:00. To watch the sunset, take the sightseeing bus from 19:00 to 19:30. The temperature difference between morning and evening is large, so bring a light jacket.

Ø Ancient costume photo check-in

Ø Most beautiful highway – a sense of Western blockbuster

The fresh asphalt road stretches infinitely, with the sky as beautiful as a gem. The sky is so high, the land so vast, the road so long. A casual snapshot gives the chic feel of a Western blockbuster. Every step is a scene, every step is life.

Ø Cool check-in – off-road vehicles

The coolest representative of the Yardang scenic area: off-road vehicles. Paired with sunglasses, you'll be the most stylish person.

Ø Creative fancy check-ins

The Yardang bodies here have a thousand postures, resembling people and things, requiring imagination to appreciate. Photos are no exception. In this vast world, it feels like the world is yours.

Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark has even more ways to play waiting for you to unlock. You must come!