The Emerald River and the Burning Cliffs: Guide National Geopark and the Legend of the Seven-Colored Earth

The World's Clear Yellow River

1.Located in Guide: County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, Guide National Geopark offers a visual shock that challenges the traditional perception of China's "Mother River." While the Yellow River is famous for its muddy, sediment-laden waters in its middle and lower reaches, here in Guide, it presents a stunningly clear, turquoise hue. This phenomenon gave rise to the famous saying, "The Yellow River of the world is clear only in Guide" (Tianxia Huanghe Guide Qing). The park sits at an altitude of approximately 2,200 meters, serving as a gateway to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and covers a total area of 554 square kilometers. It is a place where the "Red Mountains" of the Danxia landform meet the "Jade Water" of the Yellow River, creating a landscape of exquisite contrast that is rare on the high plateau.

The Seven-Colored Danxia

The core of the park's geological wonder is the Ashigong Seven-Colored Peak (Ashigong Qicaifengcong). Formed from red sedimentary rocks dating back to the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods (over 100 million years ago), these landforms have been sculpted by millions of years of wind and water erosion. The result is a spectacular array of isolated peaks, steep pillars, and ridges that glow in vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, green, gray, black, and white under the sunlight. These formations are often described as "Earth Forests" or "Seven-Colored Peaks," resembling a natural painting left by the gods. The geology here captures the dynamic evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau's uplift, preserving a visual history of the earth within its colorful strata.

A Mythical Landscape

Culturally, the landscape is imbued with local legends. The most enduring myth links the colorful hills to Nüwa, the goddess who patched the sky. It is said that when Nüwa melted colorful stones to repair the heavens, some of the residue fell to earth, transforming into the vibrant, multi-colored hills of Guide. This blend of geological reality and mythological storytelling adds a layer of spiritual depth to the visit. The region is also known as the "Little Jiangnan of the Plateau" due to its relatively mild climate and fertile river valley, which stands in stark contrast to the harshness typically associated with the plateau. The park integrates these natural wonders with the rich multi-ethnic culture of the region, where Tibetan, Hui, Tu, and Han communities coexist.