The Redstone Park of China: Mount Danxiashan (Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism)

By: Wolfgang Eder and Young Ng

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Synopsis: This book explores one of the world&’s most striking red bed sandstone landscapes — Danxiashan — which was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2004 and inscribed as part of the serial World Heritage property "China Danxia" in 2010. "China Danxia" refers to a distinctive type of landscape formed on continental red terrigenous sedimentary rocks, shaped by internal geological forces such as tectonic uplift and external processes including weathering and erosion. Danxiashan is renowned for its dramatic red cliffs — primarily from the Cretaceous period — and a diverse array of erosional landforms, including towering pillars, isolated rock formations, lush subtropical vegetation, steep ravines, deep valleys, and cascading waterfalls. The term Danxia, meaning &“red cloud&’s glow,&” captures both the vivid color and ethereal beauty of this unique terrain. It is a landscape that reflects a deep geological history, a distinctive evolution of landforms, and a rich blend of natural and cultural heritage — demonstrating the enduring harmony between humans and nature.