A picture taken on Sunday, April 20, 2008 shows the gorgeous "Danxia" landform in the shape of columns in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu Province. "Danxia" landform is a special landscape of red stones that is very rare in north China. [Photo: xinhuanet]

Hongliugou is a valley famous for its gorgeous "Danxia" landscape in Akesai Kazak Autonomous County in the city of Jiuquan in Gansu Province. This valley runs for six kilometers at the foot of the Altun Mountain. The valley remained unknown to the world until discovered by geologists and was defined as "Danxia" landform in the shape of pillars in 2007.

A truck passes by the "Danxia" landform in the shape of columns in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu Province on Sunday, April 20, 2008. "Danxia" landform is a special landscape of red stones that is very rare in north China. [Photo: xinhuanet]

(CRI English April 21, 2008)