Spectacular Danxiashan wows tourists and scholars alike

Mt. Danxiashan, located in Shaoguan, South China's Guangdong province, is a stunning natural wonder renowned for its clusters of majestic peaks, uniquely-shaped rock formations and vibrant red cliffs.

Over the past four decades, conservation and development efforts have transformed Mt. Danxiashan from a scenic area centered on just three peaks into a globally recognized geopark spanning 292 square kilometers and comprising over 680 peaks.

In August 2010, the mountain, along with five other sites, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the collective title "China Danxia". This marked a rare achievement, as it was one of the few instances where six mountain areas were simultaneously granted World Natural Heritage status.

The term Danxia — meaning "as red as cinnabar, glowing like bright rosy clouds" — was first used in a geological context in the 1920s by geologist Feng Jinglan. It was later defined by geologist Chen Guoda as a landscape characterized by "flat tops, steep cliffs and gentle foothills".

Among over 1,200 Danxia landscape sites across China, Mt. Danxiashan stands out as the landscape's namesake and a representative example, celebrated for its complete range of landscape types and spectacular scenery.

Beyond its geological significance, Mt. Danxiashan is also a biodiversity hot spot. In 1987, scientists first identified the Danxia parasol tree here, a species now celebrated as a botanical icon of Guangdong. As of April 2026, surveys had recorded 2,341 species of higher plants, 2,539 wildlife species, 359 macrofungal species and 663 microbial species. A total of 59 new species of plants, animals and fungi have been discovered here, most of which are endemic to Mt. Danxiashan and exist only in extremely small populations.

The mountain is also a renowned science education base, offering ecological activities such as birdwatching, firefly viewing and nature education along its riverside boardwalks.

Visitors strolling along the boardwalks can often encounter groups participating in outdoor nature education activities. The mountain's science education programs focus on geology, ecology and culture, turning the area into an open-air natural science classroom that attracts over 400,000 student visitors annually.