Zhangye Danxia Landform, Gansu, China
23 March, 2020
From far-flung corners to little pockets of paradise, we're bringing you the world's most exotic and unusual locations. Wander from home at your leisure.
Where?
Zhangye Danxia Landform, Gansu, China
Why?
Have you seen the pictures? Nicknamed "the eye candy of Zhangye", this kaleidoscopic mountain range is reminiscent of a fruit-pastille ice lolly.
The rainbow-coloured rock formations are the result of millions of years of red sandstone erosion and harsh desert conditions. Visit during the wet season (May-September) - the stripes are at their most intense after rainfall.
What to pack
We're pretty sure Virgil designed these Off-White x Nike sneakers with the rock colour palette in mind. Plus, they'll make tackling the 666 steps to the park's highest viewing platform a breeze.
Travel tip-off
At your next virtual hangout, smugly show off your geo-knowledge by spouting all the locations you can find rainbow mountain ranges: Vinicunca Mountains, Peru; Tweedsmuir Park, BC, Canada and Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina. Bonus points if you plan to visit them all.
How to get there
The closest city to the geopark is Zhangye. Take an internal flight from Beijing to Lanzhou, then catch a three-hour train to Zhangye.
