After rainfall, Danxia Mountain in China often unveils a spectacular sea of clouds, wrapping around its crimson cliffs in dreamlike layers. As waves of mist drift across the landscape, the towering red cliffs of Danxia emerge and vanish like brushstrokes on a living scroll of Chinese ink painting. This breathtaking sight has drawn countless tourists and photography enthusiasts.
Located in Renhua County, Shaoguan City, Danxia Mountain spans an area of 292 square kilometers, making it the largest scenic area in Guangdong Province. It's also a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Composed of over 680 red sandstone peaks with flat tops, steep sides, and gentle bases, Danxia Mountain is famed for its vivid hues that shine like rosy clouds at dawn. According to geologists, Danxia Mountain showcases the most complete, diverse, and aesthetically rich Danxia landforms among the 1,200+ known sites globally.
When & where to see the sea of clouds
The sea of clouds can appear year-round, but late autumn to early spring offers the best chance to witness this natural spectacle. For the highest chance of catching the view, head to Guanri Pavilion (观日亭) early in the morning after a rainy night.
Guanri Pavilion (Photo: Zhang Jianbin)
Cloud sea formation is closely related to mountain topography and temperature differences. When the air is humid and the temperature drops significantly, especially after continuous rainfall, the likelihood of cloud seas increases. Danxia Mountain, with its typical low-elevation mountainous terrain, provides ideal conditions for frequent and photogenic cloud sea formations.
Springtime highlights (Limited-time till April 30, 2025)
In April, Danxia bursts into color with blooming flowers blanketing the mountains. You can see golden trumpet trees near the entrance of Yangyuan Mountain (阳元山), paulownia blossoms along the Water Danxia (水上丹霞) route in Yangyuan Mountain, powder puff blossoms near the Yangyuan Rock area (阳元石景区) and along the Jinjiang River (锦江), and azaleas from Changlao Peak (长老峰) to Xianglong Lake (翔龙湖).
Every Saturday this April, Danxia Mountain hosts a series of traditional Chinese performances and activities on the water, including pipa concerts, folk duets, dance, parades, cosplay, sedan chair experiences, and shuttlecock competitions.
Sea of clouds at Danxia Mountain (Photo: Long Quanming)
Plan your visit
Opening hours: 24/7
Tickets: full price ¥100; discounted price ¥50 until April 30, 2025; free entry for children under 6 and seniors over 65 with a valid ID
Location: Danxia Mountain, Renhua County, Shaoguan, Guangdong Province (广东省韶关市仁化县丹霞山)
Video & Poster | Chen Longyan
Author | Chen Longyan
Editor | Huang Qini, James, Shen He
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