Yadan National Geopark

The word yardang entered geology from the Uyghur term for this landform, and the Dunhuang park is one of the largest fields of it: lake sediments laid down when this basin held water, then dried and stripped by the prevailing northeast wind into parallel ridges, blocks and pedestals running for tens of kilometres across a plain with no vegetation whatever. Some formations have acquired names for what they resemble, including a shape called the fleet of ships. The park is crossed by shuttle bus with stops, and extended routes reach the more remote sections. Sunset turns the whole field orange.

What you actually see

• The yardang field - parallel wind-carved ridges across an empty plain.
• The named formations - blocks resembling ships, animals and towers.
• The bare setting - desert with no vegetation in any direction.
• The sunset light - the field turning orange in the last hour.

When to go

April to May and September to October; summer is extremely hot and exposed, winter bitterly cold with strong wind. Late afternoon into sunset is the best light and the standard tour timing.

Honest expectations

The park is nearly three hours from Dunhuang each way and shuttle transport is compulsory. Wind and grit are constant. Deep-route tickets to the outer formations cost considerably more.

Nearby

Yumen Pass lies southeast on the same road; Dunhuang is further southeast.