Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark

One of the highlights of our Gansu trip. Yes, it's a long drive from Dunhuang, but the scenery changes from dunes to black Gobi and then suddenly these towering wind-carved rocks appear. We did the full loop on the park bus and every stop felt different. The 'Hive' formation was my favorite. Bring a hat and water because it's exposed, and definitely stay for sunset - the colors are magical. Love that the park has walkways that protect the fragile ground. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who likes geology or just epic landscapes.

Absolutely stunning! We went in late autumn and had the park almost to ourselves. The Martian-like terrain is surreal, and the wind creates this low whistle across the formations. Our driver from Dunhuang let us stay until after sunset, and the sky turned into a painting. The gravel paths are well marked, and I felt safe walking between the viewpoints. This is nature's sculpture garden - don't skip it.

I hate to be the negative one, but I left a bit underwhelmed. The formations are interesting, but after seeing pictures online I expected more wow. We spent most of the day in a minibus to get here, and then the park shuttle just does a loop with short stops. The 'scenic spots' start to look the same after a while. Also the dust got everywhere and there was no shelter from the wind. Maybe I'd feel differently if I'd waited for sunset, but our guide said we had to leave before it got dark. It's expensive for what it is.

Really cool landscape, like nothing else I've seen. The shuttle bus makes a few stops and you get maybe 20 minutes at each one. The last stop at the 'pirate ship' is worth a long exposure if you're into photography. Only reason I'm not giving 5 is because our tour felt rushed and the visitor center coffee was terrible. But the rocks themselves are incredible. If you can, drive out with a private guide and watch the sunset.

Visited Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark at golden hour and it completely blew me away. The park is vast, and the yardang formations look like an alien city stretched to the horizon. We booked the last shuttle and caught sunset from the main viewpoint - the light turned the sandstone into layers of orange, pink, and deep red. The silence out there is amazing. The shuttle driver gave just enough history and pointed out the 'lion' and 'pterosaur' rocks. Highly recommend bringing a scarf; the wind whips up sharp sand. One of those places that makes you feel tiny.

We visited on a weekday and almost felt like we had the place to ourselves. The furthest viewpoint is the best — those towering mud structures make you feel tiny. The entrance ticket and shuttle combo is fair, and the staff were helpful even with our limited Chinese. My only warning: keep your hat on tight; the wind nearly took mine twice. Outstanding stop on our Silk Road trip; I’d rate it higher than the Mogao Caves if you want raw nature.

I almost skipped this because of the travel time, but I’m so glad I didn’t. The shuttle drops you at several lookouts, and each one is a different chapter of this weird, beautiful landscape. Our driver let us stay through sunset at the last stop. Watching the moon come up over those striped ridges while the wind erased our footprints was magical. Bring water, a scarf for your face, and warm layers — the wind is no joke. If you love geology or just cinematic scenery, you’ll love it.

This place literally looks like another planet. The wind-carved clay towers stretch for miles, and as the sun went down the whole ‘Yardang City’ turned into a maze of giant shadows. Our guide said the sound the wind makes was why people call it the Ghost City — we actually stood near one of the tall ridges and heard a low hum under the gusting. One of the most surreal places I’ve ever stood. Yes, it’s far from Dunhuang and the last stretch of road is bumpy, but absolutely worth every bump.

Really impressive landscape and the scale is hard to describe. The shuttle buses are a bit of a cattle call, and the ‘star’ spots get crowded, but if you walk a few meters from the boardwalk you get that eerie silence. We came for late afternoon light and it turned pink and gold on the ridges. I wish the park allowed a bit more free time — 25 minutes at each stop felt tight. Still, a 4-star experience for me; just don’t expect a wilderness solo trip.

Honestly, I was a little underwhelmed. The landforms are cool and the ‘Ghost City’ vibe is real, but our tour gave us only 40 minutes at the main stops before rushing to the next. By the time we got to the best viewpoint the sun was right behind us, and the wind kept throwing grit in my eyes. There are no toilets near some of the stops either, so plan ahead. It’s worth a quick visit if you’re already in Dunhuang, but I wouldn’t do the 3-hour drive again.

Unreal. I’d seen pictures but nothing prepares you for the scale and strangeness of this place. We did the full loop including the ‘Devil City’ area—some of the rock pillars look like crumbling skyscrapers. The wind was so strong it literally pushed me sideways, which actually added to the atmosphere. Staff at the entrance were helpful and the facilities (toilets, parking) were decent for such a remote location. If you’re even slightly into nature or photography, put this on your bucket list. 5/5 without hesitation.

Hands down the most surreal place I’ve ever visited. The vastness of the Gobi combined with these bizarre eroded rocks creates an almost spiritual feeling. I went on a clear day and the contrast between the blue sky and the reddish-brown earth was stunning. The electric cart tour was well worth it—our guide was knowledgeable and even cracked some jokes. Pro tip: bring a scarf to cover your face from the sand, but otherwise just soak it all in. 5 stars, no question.

Absolutely incredible! Walking through the Yardang formations feels like stepping onto another planet. The silence is deafening, broken only by the howling wind. Our guide pointed out shapes that looked like ships, lions, and even a pagoda. The highlight was definitely the sunset—we stayed until the last light turned the whole landscape golden. If you love geology or photography, this place is a dream. Highly recommend going late afternoon to catch the golden hour. One of the best experiences in China!

A solid 4 stars. The unique landscape is genuinely otherworldly—like being on Mars. The sunset here is spectacular, with the rocks turning shades of orange and red. However, the shuttle system is a bit chaotic; we had to wait 20 minutes for the next bus while the wind kicked up sand into our faces. Also, bring your own water because the small shop at the entrance is overpriced. Still, if you have time in Dunhuang, don’t miss it. Just come prepared with sun protection and patience.

Honestly, I was a bit underwhelmed. The park is massive and the wind-carved rock formations are interesting, but the relentless heat (40°C+) and the long bus ride between stops made it feel more like survival than sightseeing. Our guide rushed us through every viewpoint, barely giving us time to take photos. For the price of entry, I expected better organization and maybe some shaded waiting areas. If you’re used to deserts you might enjoy it more, but for me it was a 3/5 experience—worth seeing once, but I wouldn’t go back.

Honestly, I was a bit let down. It's a two-hour drive from Dunhuang, and when you finally get there, you're confined to a crowded bus with only a few designated stops. The rock formations look cool from a distance, but up close they're just dusty clay. The scorching heat and lack of shade made it uncomfortable. Feels overpriced for what it is – I'd rather spend the time at the Mogao Caves.

The landscapes are genuinely stunning – like a giant natural sculpture park. However, the wind was brutal the day I went, and I spent half the time shielding my face from sand blasting. Also, you're stuck on the shuttle bus the whole time with very limited stops. I wish we could have walked around a bit more. Worth seeing once, but manage your expectations on comfort.

I went late afternoon when the crowds had thinned out. Standing there surrounded by the weird, wind-sculpted rocks in total silence – it was profoundly moving. You can hear your own heartbeat. The sunset colors were incredible too. If you want a moment of pure wonder away from the tourist rush, this is the place.

Booked the off-road vehicle tour and it was a game-changer. Our driver was a local guy who knew all the best spots and told hilarious stories. We got deep into the backcountry where the rock formations look like a fleet of ghost ships – the 'West Sea Fleet' area is insane. Dusty, bumpy, but absolutely unforgettable. 10/10 recommend splurging on the extra ride.

Absolutely breathtaking! We arrived just before sunrise and watched the first rays of light turn the Yardang formations into a glowing, golden landscape. It felt like stepping onto another planet. The sheer scale and silence made it an almost spiritual experience. Totally worth the early wake-up call – this is the highlight of our entire Gansu trip!

Came here as part of a Silk Road road trip. The park is huge and the scenery is otherworldly. We spent about 3 hours and could have stayed longer. The staff at the entrance were friendly and gave good tips on which viewpoints to hike. Unforgettable place.

Absolutely breathtaking! I've traveled to many national parks around the world, and this one is a true gem. The silence, the vastness, the layers of golden earth – it's like walking on Mars. Our driver stopped at the best photo spots. 10/10 experience!

The geopark is decent but honestly a bit overhyped. The landscape is unique, but the visitor facilities are basic and the entrance fee felt high for what you get. The dust storm didn't help – got sand in every pocket. Okay if you've never seen a desert before.

We went on a windy afternoon and the whole place felt majestic. The rock formations are incredible, though the heat was exhausting. The off-road buggy ride to the deeper area was a highlight. Would recommend going early or late to avoid the midday sun.

Stunning landscape that feels like another planet. The wind-carved yardangs are absolutely surreal, especially at sunset when the shadows stretch forever. Our guide was knowledgeable and we had plenty of time to explore. A must-see in Gansu!

We took the sunset tour and it was pure magic. The colours shifted from orange to deep purple against those weird rock shapes—I've never seen anything like it. The park is well maintained, clean toilets at the entrance, and the shuttle service is efficient. Definitely a highlight of our Gansu trip. Don't skip this!

One of the most surreal places I've ever visited. It's like walking on Mars without leaving Earth. The rangers were knowledgeable and gave great tips on which trails to take. The silence out there is deafening in the best way. Highly recommend the early morning tour to catch the changing light. Absolutely 5 stars.

Absolutely mind-blowing! The golden hour light made the wind-carved clay formations look like another planet. I spent two hours just walking around the main viewing platform—no crowds, just silence and endless shapes. This place is a photographer's dream. Bring extra batteries and a windproof jacket!

Pretty impressive landscape, but the visitor center could use some work—there's hardly any shade and the water refill stations were out of order. The sunset views over the yardangs are gorgeous though, and our driver was super friendly. I'd say it's worth a stop if you're already in the area, but don't expect luxury.

Honestly, I was a bit let down after hearing so much hype. The wind was brutal, sand got everywhere, and the shuttle bus felt rushed. Some of the rock formations are cool, but without a good guide you're just staring at piles of dirt. Not worth the long drive if you're short on time.