Rainbow Mountains in Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park

Before setting off on 27.05.2025 (Day 5) for our next destination - the Rainbow Mountains - we had our breakfast at the dining hall in a form of a huge yurt at Kaoshan Tent.

Group photo taken at Kaoshan Tent just before we departed for
the Rainbow Mountains.

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The Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park (张掖丹霞国家地质公园) are among China's most stunning and surreal natural landscapes. Located near the city of Zhangye in Gansu Province, this unique geological wonder covers an area of over 500 Sq Km and is part of the larger Qilian Mountain range region.

As the name 'Rainbow Mountains' suggests, the hills and ridges here are renowned for their spectacular, vibrant stripes of red, orange, yellow, green, and even blue and purple hues, resembling a giant, colorful tapestry stretched across the landscape. These brilliant colors are the result of red sandstone and mineral deposits laid down over 24 million years, shaped by tectonic plate movements, wind, and water erosion.

The dramatic patterns are not painted or digitally altered - they are entirely natural, making this location one of the most photogenic and dreamlike places on earth.

The Zhangye Danxia landscape was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 as part of the “China Danxia” landform series, highlighting its global geological importance and extraordinary beauty.

Spacious walking paths guide visitors to various viewing platforms, each positioned to offer sweeping panoramic views of the vibrant, multi-colored rock formations and the surrounding landscape.

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Our Chinese tour guide did tell us that some of the scenes from the 2016 movie, "The Great Wall" -directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Matt Damon, Jing Tian, and Andy Lau - were shot in the Rainbow Mountains in Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park; but online research suggests otherwise. The movie's vibrant, multi-coloured backdrop though reminiscent of the park's natural beauty, were achieved through computer-generated imagery (CGI) and elaborate set designs rather than on-location filming at Zhangye.