Crouching Tiger Gorge in Zhangye National Geopark. The colorful rock formation was formed over 24 million years through the accumulation of red sandstone and various mineral deposits laid down in ancient riverbeds. Over time, these distinct mineral layers were squeezed, tilted, and lifted by the same tectonic plate forces that created the Himalayas. Continuous weathering from wind and rain then eroded the softer rock, sculpting the vibrant, multi-colored strata into steep cliffs, ridges, and ravines.