UNESCO declared to add "China Danxia" to the World Heritage List on August 1st at the 34th session of the World Heritage Committee in Brasilia, capital of Brazil.
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| (China Danxia) - Mount Chishui in Guizhou |
"China Danxia" is the general name of a Serial Nomination for World Heritage, consisting of six geologically and geographically related Danxia landform areas, namely, Chishui in Guizhou, Taining in Fujian, Langshan in Hunan, Danxiashan in Guangdong, Longhushan and Guifeng in Jiangxi and Jianglang in Zhejiang.
Danxia, a unique type of petrographic geomorphology, could be defined as "a landform that consists of red sedimentary layers exposed by steep cliffs". The word "Danxia", means "丹（vermilion）霞（sunglow）" in Chinese, is originated from a poem of Caopi, Emperor Wen of the Cao Wei Dynasty and a famous poet in Chinese history. Danxia landform forms from red sandstone which is also named red bed, influenced by uplift, weathering and erosion, with the alternating colors of the stratified layers clearly visible on exposed cliff faces, reflecting varying degrees of oxidization.
1. Chishui in Guizhou
The formation of the Danxia landform can be dated back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods about 100 million years ago. It covers an area of over 1,000 square kilometers. The collapsing and weathering of a thick layer of red quartzose formed the area's unique landscape. Formed of sandstone, the Chishui Danxia landform is situated where the Sichuan Basin meets the Northern Guizhou Plateau, an area of humid weather and dense vegetation. As a result, the Danxia landscape combines red cliffs, solitary peaks, huge caves and rushing waterfalls, which contrast beautifully with one another.
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| (China Danxia) - Mount Chishui in Guizhou |
2. Taining in Fujian
Taining's local food is a little bit salty and spicy and is characterized by river fish, domestic fungus, bamboo shoot, Youjiang bean curd and various edible wild herbs. Distinct flavor snacks can be represented by Green Roll, Zhuangyuan Ci, Nuangu Bun, Xiancao Cake, Bean Jelly, Lei Tea, etc. During the summer and autumn nights, there are many special Night Teas serviced by the riverside of the city. It really deserves to go there to enjoy the tea with the lovely night scenery and mild wind.
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| (China Danxia) - Taining in Fujian |
Main native products of Taining are various edible wild mushrooms, delicious fish, dried bamboo shoot, lotus seed, ganoderma lucidum, Hushang Yan Tea, bine tea, watery wine, etc. The handicrafts are mainly wood- or bamboo-produced artwork.
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| (China Danxia) - Taining in Fujian |
The shopping areas are in Shangshu Lane, Zhuangyuan Street as well as many shops spread in each scenic spot. You don’t need to worry about the deal as the Taining’s people are honest and prices are fair.
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| (China Danxia) - Taining in Fujian |
3. Langshan in Hunan
4. Danxiashan in Guangdong
Located in the northeast of Shaoguan city in Guangdong Province, Danxia Mountain is called "Red Stone Park of China".
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| (China Danxia) - Mount Danxia in Guangdong |
Because of the brilliant red color, the red stone group covering a total area of 282 square miles is called "Danxia Mountain", meaning "red rays of the sun" in Chinese word. Formed of the red sandy rock, Danxia Mountain area is characterized by the red steep cliffs with precipitous landform of even peak, sheer body and flat valleys. In geography, it is also the name place of "Danxia Landform", which refers to the sort of landform similar to the Danxia Mountain. Since 1988, Danxia Mountain has been successively appointed as National Scenic Spot, National Natural Protection Zone for Geology and Geomorphology in China.
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| (China Danxia) - Mount Danxia in Guangdong |
5. Longhushan and Guifeng in Jiangxi
One of the most evolved Danxia landform areas in China is situated in Yingtan, Jiangxi Province, Longhu Mountain, which has a Danxia area of about 81 square kilometers. Geologically, it is a Mesozoic fault basin, in which thick strata of purplish-red conglomerate, sandstone and volcanic rock were formed.
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| (China Danxia) - Mount Longhu in Jiangxi |
The landscape what it looks like today is due to the subsequent scouring and weathering ultimately shaped it into a wealth of flat-top summits, bog back mountains, natural bridges, stockades, honeycomb caves, walls, ridges, cliffs, upright caves, rock pillars, rock peaks, peak forests, rock arches and ”elephant trunks”.
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| (China Danxia) - Mount Longhu in Jiangxi |
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| (China Danxia) - Mount Longhu in Jiangxi |
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| (China Danxia) - Mount Longhu in Jiangxi |
6. Jianglang in Zhejiang
Jianglang Mountain in Jiangshan County, Zhejiang Province, features three 360-meter-tall peaks called Lang, Ya and Ling. Lang Peak is said to be the most spectacular redstone peak in China and the most popular attraction in Zhejiang Province.
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| (China Danxia) - Mount Jianglang in Zhejiang |
It is home to more than 150 scenic sites and cultural relics. Among them are Kaiming Temple and Jianglang Institution, both of which date back about 1,000 years. A lot of ancient scholars who went there wrote a number of poems about it.
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| (China Danxia) - Mount Jianglang in Zhejiang |
There are also a lot of caves and waterfalls on the mountain, which has a special charm when blanketed in fog.
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| (China Danxia) - Mount Jianglang in Zhejiang |
(China Tour & China Private Travel)
