Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark
雅丹魔鬼城
A large yardang landscape on the eastern edge of the Lop Nur, with wind-eroded formations such as 'Peacock,' 'Sphinx' and 'Western Sea Fleet.' Sunset and starry skies are the highlights.
The Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark lies deep in the Gobi about 180 km northwest of the city and about 80 km west of Yumen Pass, close to the Lop Nur. It is a classic wind-eroded yardang landscape, nicknamed the 'Devil's City' because of the howling wind at night. Hundreds of yellow-earth mounds, shaped by erosion, stand across the Gobi. Some resemble a golden lion greeting guests, a peacock, or a Sphinx. The most spectacular is the 'Western Sea Fleet' in the south, where hundreds of yardangs line up like a fleet at formation.
The standard visit is by shuttle bus (ticket included, about 120 yuan), stopping at four viewpoints, with 15 to 20 minutes at each stop. The whole trip takes about 2 hours. For an extra fee, you can switch to an off-road vehicle to go deeper into the uninhabited area (about 200 to 300 yuan).
The best light is around sunset, when the sun slants across the yardangs and paints them golden red, so the western one-day trip usually arrives in the afternoon, watches the sunset, and then returns to Dunhuang (about 2.5 to 3 hours' drive). In summer, there are stargazing activities in the evening.
The geopark is often combined with Yumen Pass and the Han Great Wall as the Dunhuang western route (about 8 to 9 hours' chartered round trip).
Note: The area is uninhabited, with no phone signal and no supplies, so bring plenty of water and food. The site closes during severe sandstorms. Temperatures drop sharply after sunset, so bring a jacket.
Opening hours
08:00–20:00 (adjusted to sunset)
Nearby sights
- Han Dynasty Great Wall Ruins, Dunhuang
- Yumen Pass
- Hecang Fortress (Dafangpan City)
- Yangguan Pass
- Western Thousand Buddha Caves
- Dunhuang 100MW Molten Salt Solar Tower
- Dunhuang Ancient City Film Set
- White Horse Pagoda