Golden Lion
A lion-shaped rock.
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A desert filled with strange rock ridges carved by wind and rain over thousands of years, the landforms known as «yardangs»: the soft layers of the ground wore away and the hard rock was left standing in rows like fleets of ships or castles; it covers some 398 square kilometres and in 2015 became part of UNESCO's Dunhuang Global Geopark. It lies about 180 kilometres north-west of Dunhuang, beyond Yumen Pass on the same road; locals call it the «Devil City». The best-known rocks are named after their shapes, such as «the Golden Lion Welcoming Guests», «the Peacock», «the Camel» and «the Mongolian Yurt»; park buses run between the main viewpoints, and the hour before sunset, when the rocks glow red, is the loveliest time. The ticket costs CNY 120, of which 50 is for entry and 70 for the park bus, and it opens from 8:30 to 19:30 with last entry at 17:00, per visitor guides. Go on a tour or with a hired car and driver, as there are few services on the road, and bring plenty of water.
A lion-shaped rock.
Rows like ships.
Its local nickname.
About 180 km north-west of Dunhuang, beyond Yumen Pass
Yes, both lie on the same road north-west of Dunhuang and most day tours combine them; the geopark ticket is CNY 120 including its bus, per visitor guides.