Lingnan

Danxia Mountain Travel Guide

Red Cliff Scarlet Cliff · World Natural Heritage · Yangyuan Stone

Danxia Mountain is the place that gave its name to 'Danxia landform,' a stretch of red sandstone and conglomerate cut by water into red cliffs, stone peaks, and gorges. It was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site in 2010 and is one of the most worthwhile geological landscapes to visit in Lingnan.

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Destination Details

Key facts

Best seasonOctober to April, hot in summer

Suggested stay1–2 days

Key highlightsYangyuan Stone · Elder Peak Sunrise · Jinjiang Painted Boat · Xianglong Lake

TrafficTransfer from Shaoguan High-Speed Rail Station to the scenic area direct bus takes about 1 hour

RemindTo watch the sunrise at Elder Peak, you need to get up at 4 o'clock; the mountain path is steep, wear hiking boots.

Danxia Mountain is located in Renhua County, Shaoguan City, and is composed of red sandstone and conglomerate. About 100 million years ago, this area was an inland basin. The red layers that were deposited later uplifted and were cut by water along joints, forming over six hundred sheer red cliffs with flat tops, steep bodies, and gentle slopes at the base. In 1928, a geologist named the "Danxia Formation" here, and China's Danxia landform was named after it.

Key Highlights

Yangyuan Stone and Yinyuan Stone

Yangyuan Stone is a natural stone pillar about 28 meters high, with a very realistic shape, considered a symbol of Danxia Mountain. Along with the nearby Yinyuan Stone, it was formed by water eroding along vertical joints. They are the two most popular spots in the scenic area and are accessible by foot.

Sunrise at Elder Peak

Elder Peak is the highest point in the scenic area, with an altitude of about 400 meters. Hiking at dawn to the Sunrise Pavilion to see the sea of clouds and the red rocks gradually illuminated by the morning light is the most iconic experience at Danxia Mountain—but this means getting up around 4 a.m.

Jinjiang River and Xianglong Lake

The Jinjiang River winds around the mountain, and taking a painted boat downstream between the red cliffs offers a completely different perspective from hiking. Xianglong Lake is in a valley, with a flat lakeside boardwalk that can be completed even by those of average fitness.

Suggested Itinerary

One-day version: Yangyuan Stone → Jinjiang Painted Boat → Xianglong Lake, a leisurely pace.
Two-day version: First afternoon at Xianglong Lake and Jinjiang, sunrise at Elder Peak the next day, descend around noon.

Practical Information

Summer is hot and rainy; visit from October to the following April is recommended. Mountain paths are mostly stone steps and steep slopes, so be sure to wear hiking shoes and bring enough water. The scenic area is large, with shuttle buses inside. For a two-day itinerary, it is recommended to stay in a small town outside the mountain gate, which is convenient for dining and departure.