Henghe Red Sand Canyon

Henghe Red Sand Canyon

Red Sand Canyon, located in Henghe Town, Yangcheng County, is a scenic area composed of colorful rocks and sand.

Red Sand Canyon presents a fantastical world shaped over millions of years by wind, water, and time acting on the sandstone. The intricate layers of rock in the canyon are made up of massive strata that started depositing hundreds of millions of years ago. The landscape here was once an ocean, where sand dunes were continuously covered by layers of red sand infused with groundwater. Over time, the minerals in the water cemented the sand into sandstone, forming its layered structure.

Through prolonged wind and water erosion, the layers of sandstone in the canyon have gradually become distinctly visible. The smooth, sculptural sandstone and the flowing patterns on the rocks create a stunning three-dimensional effect.

The lighting is entirely natural, streaming into the valley through gaps in the rocks. The dreamlike colors, elegant lines, and fine textures of the red sandstone rocks leave one in awe of nature’s beauty. Likewise, Red Sand Canyon was formed through long-term mountain flood erosion, leaving behind water-washed smooth lines. These were created from lava that cooled and solidified following ancient volcanic eruptions.