The Yadan landforms of wind-eroded mounds and wind-eroded depressions developed in fluvial and lake facies soil-like deposit areas. Yadan is translated from Chinese Uyghur language, meaning steep mound, named for the most typical development of Yadan in the lower reaches of the Kongque River in Xinjiang, China. The development process is as follows: sand-carrying air flow erodes the ground, and wind erosion grooves appear on the ground.

Photo shows the peculiar scenery of Yardang landform of Heidu mountain in Mang'ai City, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. Known as the “moon-like place on Earth," the Yardang landform of Heidu mountain is 13 kilometers away from Lenghu Town in Qinghai Province. (Photo: China News Service/Chen Falin)