Is Zhangye's Colorful Danxia not actually Danxia landform?
Strictly speaking, it belongs to the "caiqiu landform" (colorful hills) in geomorphology, not Danxia landform.
So, what is the real Danxia landform? To answer this question, we went to the place where the Danxia landform was named — Danxiashan (Mount Danxia) in Shaoguan, Guangdong.
Here lies the world's most typical, comprehensive, diverse, and extensively studied concentration of Danxia landforms. If the evolution of Danxia landform were likened to a human life, Danxiashan represents its prime, robust adulthood.
This unique topography of high and low peaks with sheer cliffs acts like a compressed space-time. Within a few hundred meters of elevation, it creates countless microhabitats, nurturing many endemic species.
What's even more special? While the term "Danxia landform" might sound unfamiliar, we've likely encountered it before. Many of China's grottoes, temples, and Taoist monasteries were built on Danxia landforms. Perhaps precisely because it's so common, it often goes unnoticed. This is the perfect opportunity for everyone to gain a comprehensive understanding of this landform.
Welcome to watch the science popularization video "Danxia: China's indispensable landform" produced by Institute for Planets, and discover China's "innate" red mountains and rivers.
Source: Institute for Planets (星球研究所)
