But Danxia landforms are not geographical wonders unique to China. At least 11 of the World Heritage sites designated by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee completely or partially represent Danxia topography. Among those are Venezuela’s Canaima National Park, where is located Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, and Australia’s Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, home to the iconic rock monolith, the largest of its kind in the world. Of particular note, on the Colorado Plateau, where the Colorado River flows 1,600 meters below, the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is a typical Danxia Landform. However, in terms of geological age, the Colorado Canyon is assigned to a more ancient category of Danxia Landform, while the Danxia formation in Taining is younger; hence the topographical differences between the two. The Danxia formations in Taining and other areas of China compose the world’s largest Danxia landform complex. And here is represented the most typical development, the most complete types and the most diverse forms. Thus the value of these geological gems has been highly appraised by UNESCO experts.

Appearing like red islets emerging from Dajin Lake, the Danxia landscape of Taining is renowned as “Danxia on Water.”

Shangqing (meaning Upper Clear) is a famous valley riverine tributary in Taining, but, according to locals, it was once a major headache. The water provides the only way to exit the deep mountain ravine, but the changing topography presented complexities and danger during boat-borne treks. Today, things are different. The stream and the valley, now collectively a popular tourist destination, are a source of great pride for the locals.

About 10 kilometers west of the county seat of Taining is another mountain valley – Zhaixia Grand Canyon. Strolling along the wood plank road, one will see mountainous cliffs in various odd shapes, very rare plants and tiny streams hidden within the gaps between rocks – all part of a natural elegance at the base of the cliffs. The negative oxygen ions filling the valley put your heart at ease while cooling the mind.