Binggou Danxia Scenic Area

Introducing Binggou Danxia Scenic Area
Binggou Danxia Scenic Area is one of the main scenic areas within the Zhangye Danxia National Geopark. Binggou Danxia Scenic Area, spanning approximately 300 square kilometers, is renowned for its complete and uniquely shaped Danxia landforms. These formations, including towering cliffs, winding stone walls, and mushroom-shaped peaks, rise dramatically across the landscape, offering a sweeping vista of nature’s artistry.

Despite its evocative name, “Binggou” (meaning “Ice Valley”), the area is surprisingly devoid of ice and snow. This intriguing name originates from a visual illusion created by the landscape’s unique geological history. Hundreds of millions of years ago, tectonic forces lifted the region, once a vast ocean, above sea level. The exposed sedimentary rocks, primarily composed of white sandstone and siltstone, were then sculpted into sharp peaks and deep valleys. These rocks, rich in minerals like calcium carbonate, reflect sunlight brilliantly, creating a dazzling spectacle that can easily be mistaken for a snow-capped landscape, especially during sunrise and sunset.

Binggou Danxia’s breathtaking beauty and geological significance have earned it recognition from both Chinese National Geography and American National Geographic magazine. It has been listed among “China’s Seven Most Beautiful Danxia Landforms” and “The World’s Top 10 Magical Geographical Wonders” respectively, solidifying its place as a natural wonder of global importance.

Binggou Danxia Scenic Area Fast Facts
• AKA: Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon
• Chinese Name: Bīng Gōu Dān Xiá Jǐng Qū 冰沟丹霞景区
• Best Time to Visit: March to May; September to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 4 to 5 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Nature, Hiking
• Opening Hours: 7:00 – 18:00
• Entrance Fee: CNY80
• Address: Approx. 52 kilometers (32.3 miles) west of Zhangye, Gansu Province

What to Expect at Binggou Danxia Scenic Area
The fantastical scenery of the geological wonderland is composed of two core areas: Daxitian and Xiaoxitian. Here, time, like a master sculptor, has chiseled and honed the cliffs and stone pillars into a breathtaking symphony of forms. Gazing upon these otherworldly rock formations, visitors feel their imaginations take flight. Every contour whispers a different story – a slumbering dragon, a petrified waterfall, a giant frozen mid-stride. The landscape becomes a canvas for the mind, inviting you to paint your own narratives onto the sculpted stone and lose yourself in a realm of pure enchantment.

Daxitian Scenic Area
Within Daxitian, the heart of Binggou Danxia Scenic Area, two viewing platforms offer breathtaking panoramas of the iconic landforms. Here stands the Louvre’s Phantom, a majestic formation of purple-red sandstone, conglomerate, and gravel, sculpted by uplift and erosion. Stretching 150 meters wide and towering 50 meters high (164 ft)—nearly 20 meters (66 ft) taller than the French palace it’s said to resemble—its castle-like silhouette evokes the Louvre. Yet, its sharp contours and imposing scale lend it an ethereal quality, earning it the moniker “Louvre’s Phantom,” a spectral echo of architecture carved by time.

Xiaoxitian Scenic Area
Nestled in the eastern embrace of Binggou Danxia Scenic Area lies Xiaoxitian Scenic Area, a smaller, more secluded valley offering an intimate rendezvous with the captivating Danxia landscape. Unique formations like the Welcoming Camel, Red Beds, Mud Waterfall, and the Great Buddha Stone grace the scenery. Among these wonders, the Seven Sisters Peaks stand out as a true spectacle.
This towering stone peak, approximately 50 meters high (164 ft), features seven parallel grooves and pillars, sculpted by vertical joints and cliff collapses. The upper section, composed of blocky sandstone, evokes the image of seven graceful maidens, each with “hands” clasped at her “chest”, facing east in devout prayer. This extraordinary spectacle is known as “Maidens Worshiping Buddha.”

How to Get to Binggou Danxia Scenic Area
• The Binggou Danxia Scenic Area is located approx. 52 kilometers (32.3 miles) west of Zhangye.
• Charter a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle-free transfer to the Binggou Danxia Scenic Area.