China's top 7 Danxia landforms (1/7)

The Danxia landform refers to various landscapes found in southeast, southwest and northwest China that "consist of a red bed characterized by steep cliffs."

The landforms are unique types of petrographic geomorphology found in China. The Danxia landform is created from red-colored sandstones and conglomerates mainly from the Cretaceous Age. It looks very much like karst topography that forms in areas underlain with limestone, but since the rocks that form the danxia are sandstones and conglomerates, they are referred to as "pseudo-karst" landforms.

The following are the "Top Seven Most Beautiful Danxia Landforms in China" as ranked by China National Geography Magazine.

1. Mount Danxia (Guangdong)

Mount Danxia is a noted scenic area near Shaoguan in the northern part of Guangdong province. The Danxia mountain is formed from a reddish sandstone that has eroded over time forming a range of mountains surrounded by curvaceous cliffs and unusual rock formations (Danxia Landform). It is described by the local signage as a "world famous UNESCO geopark of China." There are a number of temples located on the mountain range and visitor can enjoy many scenic walks in the area. There is also a river that winds through the mountain area and boat trips along the river are offered to visitors. [Photo/China News Service]

Danxia Mountain also has a few unique stones such as the Yang Yuan Stone, Yin Yuan Stone, Breasts stone, Sleeping Beauty and other attractions which make Danxia Mountain a "natural sex culture museum." Particularly noted are two formations: a stone pillar called the Yangyuan ("male/father stone") that bears a remarkable resemblance to a phallus and the Yinyuan hole, which somewhat resembles the female labia.

In the 2010 UNESCO list of world heritage sites, Mount Danxia was listed as a natural World Heritage Site as part of China's Danxia landform.

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