Highlights
- A striped danxia riverbank — purple, red and gold rock bands over the Irtysh
- Colorful Beach (Burqin) is a geological rainbow — red, gold and purple strata folded into cliffs.
- Photographers: overcast days are actually best for danxia color saturation.
Color-band circuit
4 hours — Low viewpoints first, high deck at golden hour, exit through the museum.
1h
Shuttle to the first valley viewpoint
1h
Boardwalk along the cliff bands — the strata close-up
1h
Summit / sunset deck — the full color panorama
0.5h–1h
Museum & exit; snack at the base
What to know
Getting there
Rail/flight to Altay then 40–90 min to the danxia park; shuttle buses link the viewpoints.
Insider tips
- Danxia colors pop in soft light — schedule the main viewpoint for sunrise or 16:30+.
- The shuttle bus order matters: ask the driver for the sunset viewpoint route.
Where to stay
Stay in Altay (mid-range ¥300–600; luxury from ¥800) — see the hotel map layer.