Guangdong province geopark provides dazzling sights and rich ecology for visitor groups to enjoy and an enormous area of scientific study for teams of geologists
Mt. Danxiashan, located in Shaoguan, South China's Guangdong province, is a stunning natural wonder renowned for its clusters of majestic peaks, uniquely-shaped rock formations and vibrant red cliffs.
Over the past four decades, conservation and development efforts have transformed Mt. Danxiashan from a scenic area centered on just three peaks into a globally recognized geopark spanning 292 square kilometers and comprising over 680 peaks.
In August 2010, the mountain, along with five other sites, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the collective title "China Danxia". This marked a rare achievement, as it was one of the few instances where six mountain areas were simultaneously granted World Natural Heritage status.
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The term Danxia — meaning "as red as cinnabar, glowing like bright rosy clouds" — was first used in a geological context in the 1920s by geologist Feng Jinglan. It was later defined by geologist Chen Guoda as a landscape characterized by "flat tops, steep cliffs and gentle foothills".
Among over 1,200 Danxia landscape sites across China, Mt. Danxiashan stands out as the landscape's namesake and a representative example, celebrated for its complete range of landscape types and spectacular scenery.
Beyond its geological significance, Mt. Danxiashan is also a biodiversity hot spot. In 1987, scientists first identified the Danxia parasol tree here, a species now celebrated as a botanical icon of Guangdong. As of April 2026, surveys had recorded 2,341 species of higher plants, 2,539 wildlife species, 359 macrofungal species and 663 microbial species. A total of 59 new species of plants, animals and fungi have been discovered here, most of which are endemic to Mt. Danxiashan and exist only in extremely small populations.
The mountain is also a renowned science education base, offering ecological activities such as birdwatching, firefly viewing and nature education along its riverside boardwalks.
Visitors strolling along the boardwalks can often encounter groups participating in outdoor nature education activities. The mountain's science education programs focus on geology, ecology and culture, turning the area into an open-air natural science classroom that attracts over 400,000 student visitors annually.
In 2025, Mt. Danxiashan reached another major milestone when it was included in the second batch of World Famous Tourist Mountains, marking its transformation from a site known primarily for its geological formations into a comprehensive cultural tourism destination. This recognition has enabled Shaoguan to drive growth in its culture and tourism sectors, translating pristine landscapes into economic benefits.
Leveraging a provincial pilot program integrating agriculture, culture and tourism, Shaoguan has consolidated resources to further enhance Mt. Danxiashan's appeal. Renhua county, the focal point of the mountain's development, has planned 86 agriculture-culture-tourism projects with a total investment exceeding 30 billion yuan ($4.46 billion). A flagship project is the Mt. Danxiashan cultural tourism complex, representing an investment of 10 billion yuan by Sunriver Holding Group. It features four thematic routes — in the sky, on the water, on land and at night — to create an interconnected, multidimensional travel experience.
Innovative strategies have also fueled the nighttime economy. In 2025, Eternal Danxia, a mountain-and-river light show staged aboard cruise boats on the Jinjiang River, debuted as Guangdong's first light-and-shadow performance set against a World Natural Heritage site. Using holographic projection and artificial intelligence-powered technology, it quickly became a viral attraction.
During the 2025 National Day holiday, the show attracted over 320,000 visitors to its night cruises and was featured on mainstream TV programs. Nearby hotels, restaurants and agritourism businesses have all benefited from the spillover effect.
In 2025, the scenic area welcomed over 3 million visitors and generated approximately 115 million yuan in comprehensive revenue, up 15 percent year-on-year.
Shaoguan is advancing a "cultural tourism plus" framework that integrates tourism with sports, research and agriculture. Signature events include a 50-km hiking race and a cycling race around the mountain. Renhua now hosts one of China's largest international clay target shooting training bases and has introduced sightseeing tours using passenger-carrying drones, tapping into the emerging low-altitude economy.
For research and study travel, Mt. Danxiashan draws on its distinctive geological and ecological assets to offer nearly 200 specialized courses and eight themed routes. Local authorities have also fostered diverse rural business models, including intangible cultural heritage workshops and leisure zones, while incorporating geological wonders, firefly forests and traditional handicrafts into the rural tourism experience. Tourism offerings centered on tea, pomelos and bamboo have created five major experience scenarios, allowing visitors to harvest fresh fruit, sample fine tea and stay in distinctive homestays while immersing themselves in authentic rural life.
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As part of efforts to upgrade the surrounding landscape, Renhua has revitalized over 5,000 rural residences with local design elements, including Danxia red-stone textures and Huizhou-style architecture. Shaoguan has upgraded five provincial access roads and developed 12 provincial-level scenic routes. A new comprehensive tourist service center and a 52-km greenway network for slow travel now connect scenic spots, villages and homestay clusters.
Moving forward, Shaoguan aims to integrate culture, tourism, agriculture, sports and research travel, capitalizing on Mt. Danxiashan's World Natural Heritage status and its new title as a World Famous Tourist Mountain. Its goal is to transform this globally recognized geological wonder into a world-class tourism icon that embodies the charm of northern Guangdong and captivates visitors from around the world.
Contact the writers at haonan@chinadaily.com.cn
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF DANXIA LANDSCAPE
