Synthesis Conclusion of the Comparative Analysis

1. As a serial nomination, the Danxia of SE China reveals a sequence of different, but related landscapes that explain the development from youth to old age of this landscape type. This cannot be done in any other place in the world.

2. In order to undertake a comparative analysis it should be necessary to separate the Danxia-type landscapes of the world into different geological and morphoclimatic types. However, good scientific knowledge on the ages and formation of the vast majority of these landscapes does not exist, and therefore it is not possible to classify them, other than on simple morphological or climatic grounds. However, neither of these categories enable meaningful geomorphological comparisons between sites.
It is known that the Danxia sites forming this serial nomination are all located in the warm, humid zone of SE China and have been greatly influenced by fluvial processes. The sites of SE China appear to be unique, particularly in the density of the fracture systems which control fluvial incision, and the weathering processes working on the clayey clastic sedimentary rocks, to produce in many of the sites remarkable bell-shaped or cone-shaped mountain groups. Some other of the world sites also exhibit rounded slopes and groups of cone-shaped hills (e.g., Meteora, Purnululu, Capivara) but these fall in different climate zones, and in any case it is suspected in one at least that quartzite dissolution and a long period of erosion helped determine the formation of the landscape we see today. Neither of these factors are considered to be of great importance in the formation of the Danxia in SE China..
Thus, while there are some other inscribed and non-inscribed red-bed, landscapes around the world that are visually similar to China Danxia, these all have elements which are different from the China examples, and in any case are single, isolated sites, not representative of a geomorphological group, or series, as in China

4. No red bed, 'Danxia' geomorphological landscape, has been specifically inscribed on the World Heritage List. This current nomination will fill this gap, and could eventually be extended to also include China's arid zone Danxia landscapes.

5. While there is some Danxia in China's existing World Heritage Sites it is not well developed and does not rival the quality and importance of the Danxia of this serial nomination.

6. The landscape character and scenic beauty of the Danxia of SE China are unique and of a higher quality than most other red bed geomorphological and biological landscapes on the planet.

7. The Mesozoic stratigraphy of the China Danxia fills a gap in the planetary record of continental red beds formation. 8. The relationships between geology, landscape and culture in the nominated sites are different from those in other Danxia-type sites around the world in being more spiritually connected and less utilitarian.