White cliffs: The UK's 'South Gate'
Updated 09:29, 06-Sep-2019
Li Yujun
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The White Cliffs are famous as a national landmark on the south coast of the UK. 

The vertical cliffs are up to hundreds of meters high, with its chalk face looking into the endless sea. It's almost like a dream scene. 

The white cliffs are known as a national landmark. /VCG Photo

The white cliffs are known as a national landmark. /VCG Photo

Over millions of years, the chalk layers, made of a fine and pure white limestone, are formed gradually from the skeletal remains of marine creatures. 

From Dover, there are a chain of white cliffs from west to east, such as Beachy Head, Seven Sisters, Seaford and Jurassic Coast. 

The chalk layers built up over millions of years. /VCG Photo

The chalk layers built up over millions of years. /VCG Photo

A shot of the white cliffs appeared in the film "Dunkirk," marking the success of the Dunkirk evacuation. The UK coastline with white cliffs is a natural navigation landmark for British pilots during World War II. When they saw the cliffs in the air, they cheered for returning to the motherland. 

The coastline of the UK is a natural navigation landmark for British pilots during World War II. /VCG Photo

The coastline of the UK is a natural navigation landmark for British pilots during World War II. /VCG Photo

The White Cliffs of Dover is the closest point to continental Europe, facing the English Channel. The cliffs provide home for rare species of wildlife, including butterflies, birds and wildflowers. 

Exmoor pony plays a traditional role of grazing animals that encourages biodiversity in the white cliffs of Dover. /VCG Photo

Exmoor pony plays a traditional role of grazing animals that encourages biodiversity in the white cliffs of Dover. /VCG Photo

To encourage biodiversity and protect the species, the tradition of grazing is kept, and Exmoor pony is an ideal breed to keep the ecologic system here balanced by consuming bushes and grasses.

(Cover image via VCG.)

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