Special trip photos - Zhangye Danxia Landform, Gansu Prov., 2011/10

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During the October holiday we did two trips way out west – the second trip was to the Danxia Landform in Gansu Province, an area of multi-coloured sandstone hills and mountains. (See photos from our other trip, the seven-day Journey from the West, here.)

The Zhangye Danxia Landform is characterized by magnificently multi-coloured sandstone hills and mountains that ripple away towards the horizon.

Many of the people who join this trip say that even the photos don’t do the area justice – if you like the look of the photos, then it’s a must to visit one day!

We also did a side trip to the Jiayuguan Fortress, located at the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Built around 1372, the fortress controlled the entrance to the Hexi Corridor and was a key waypoint of the Silk Road.

the Jiayuguan Fortress, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

A gate at the eastern end of the Jiayuguan Fortress.

One of the big gates, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

One of the big gates inside the fortress.

Paving stones, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Paving stones smoothed by hundreds of years of feet.

A courtyard, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

A courtyard inside the fortress.

the mountains, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

The hiking group, ready to explore the mountains.

, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Long-time regular hiker Hsu was visiting from the U.S.

At the Danxia Landform, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

At the Danxia Landform.

Eroded sandstone, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Eroded sandstone.

The plants, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

The plants were as colourful as the hills.

more colours, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Some more colours.

A good lookout point, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

A good lookout point.

the hills, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Hiking up into the hills.

three birds, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

We spotted these three birds in the hills.

on the sandstone, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Hikers silhouetted on the sandstone.

Colours, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Colours almost too good to be true!

Colourful hills, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Colourful hills stretching off into the distance.

Taking a break, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Taking a break on top.

Happy hikers, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Happy hikers.

Balancing on a ridge, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Balancing on a ridge to get the best photos!

coloured flowers, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Brightly coloured flowers in the dry hills.

a special rock, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

On the approach to a special rock formation.

the small plants, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Another type of the small plants we saw.

white flowers, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Delicate white flowers.

The ‘Binggou’ Rock, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

The ‘Binggou’ Rock formation.

Strangely-shaped outcrops, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Strangely-shaped outcrops.

a viewing platform, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Taking a break at a viewing platform.

a donkey family, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Walking up a dried river valley, we spotted a donkey family.

Continuing up the valley, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Continuing up the valley.

More rock formations, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

More rock formations in the hills.

An old kiln, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

An old kiln.

walking out through a small village, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

We finished up this hike by walking out through a small village.

This young, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

This young fellow will have to wait a few years before he’s trusted with the keys.

one of the towns where we stayed, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Outside in the evening, in one of the towns where we stayed.

Lit up at night, Beijing Hikers Zhangye Danxia, October07, 2011

Lit up at night, with the moon bright in the sky.