A large expanse of Tulin landforms, also known as earth pillars, have been recently found in Zhangye, Gansu province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A large expanse of Tulin landforms, also known as earth pillars, have been recently found in Zhangye, Gansu province, according to the city's national geopark management bureau.

These landforms are predominantly situated in Sunan county within Zhangye city and cover an area of approximately 20 square kilometers at an average elevation of around 1,700 meters.

The landforms are well-preserved and showcase a diverse range of types, including early-stage formations such as thin gullies and soil teeth; intermediate-stage formations such as circular, basin-shaped pillars; and mature-stage formations such as remaining pillars on a slope.

Cheng Jie, a professor with China University of Geosciences, says that the newly found Tulin landforms in Zhangye were formed around 100 million years ago from sediment composed of sand and mud in a river-lake environment. These landforms are the product of a unique combination of geological factors, including tectonic movements, wind and rain erosion, and some ecological conditions. As a result, they are a beautiful representation of natural erosion and weathering, and a rare and valuable geological landscape. They offer a concentrated reflection of the geological history of the Qilianshan mountainous region in Gansu province, making them of great scientific value for studying significant geological events and the evolution of the region during the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Qilian Mountains.

"Moreover, they also possess exceptional aesthetic, ornamental and tourism value," Cheng adds.

The most visually appealing part of the Tulin landforms is located within the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park.

Currently, the geological heritage of the Tulin landforms has been preserved and will be developed in a sustainable manner. A 2.8-kilometer boardwalk has been constructed, and comprehensive tourism infrastructure has been put in place, allowing visitors to explore the Tulin landforms as part of the tour of the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park.