At the beginning of this century, China’s ‘rainbow mountains’ were only known to a few. Its spectacular nature and originality were reserved for the most adventurous and the images of the place were few. Fortunately, in recent years these mountains have become a key destination for nature lovers.
In the northwest of the People’s Republic of China, in the Qilian Mountains, in Zhangye Prefecture, there is a geological area of 520 square meters where the mountains are characterized by bands of colors that resemble a rainbow. This original appearance is the result of deposits of sandstone rocks and other minerals that were produced more than 24 million years ago. Its formation was related to the tectonic plates responsible for creating part of the Himalayas. Finally, the wind, the rain and the passage of time are ultimately responsible for the current appearance of these mountains.
Despite their ancient formation, ‘the rainbow mountains’, they were not named a UNESCO World Heritage Site until 2009 and the area did not become the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park until 2011. But before that, in 2005 this area was chosen as one of the most beautiful areas of the Danxia, according to specialized journalists. And in 2009, the Chinese National Geography magazine chose it as one of the six most beautiful geological formations in the Asian giant.
Since being designated as a park, the ‘Rainbow Mountains’ have become one of the most important tourist attractions in Zhangye. In 2014, the government invested 100 million yuan in renovation works, and a series of walkways have been built to facilitate access for tourists.
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