Longtan Grand Canyon, Natural canyon in Xin'an County, China
Longtan Grand Canyon is a deep valley cut through purplish-red quartz formations, featuring steep U-shaped walls that extend for several kilometers. High mountains frame both sides of the gorge.
The valley formed millions of years ago as flowing water slowly carved its way through the rock layers, creating the current landscape. Water erosion remains the main force that shaped this terrain.
The canyon forms part of a designated UNESCO geopark, where visitors can read the geological story written in the rock layers and colors. The landscape teaches visitors how natural forces have shaped the land over time.
The canyon has several walking trails with varying difficulty levels to explore the landscape. Wearing sturdy shoes and bringing water is helpful, especially during warm weather.
The Hongshi Valley section holds large boulders covered in ripple patterns on their surfaces, making it look like a natural museum of water erosion. These ripple markings are rare and show how flowing water once shaped even the hardest rocks.
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