Wucaicheng Colorful Hills
五彩城
Colorful mudstone hills on the eastern edge of the Junggar Basin, with red, yellow, purple and green layers stacked together, glowing like a burning citadel at sunset. A famous Gobi photography spot on the eastern route through northern Xinjiang.
Wucaicheng lies in the Gobi on the eastern edge of the Gurbantünggüt Desert, in northern Jimsar County, bordering Fuyun County. Formed when coal seams in Jurassic strata burned spontaneously and were then baked and wind-eroded, the colorful hills in red, yellow, brown and gray-green look like rows of castles from a distance. It shares the same area as Fire Mountain, Fossil Gully and other sites in the Wucai Bay region. The scenic area has boardwalks and viewing platforms, and the colors are most vivid in the late afternoon when the low sun slants across the hills, making it a classic sunset photo spot. It is about 150 km from the Jimsar County seat and 160 km from the Qitai County seat, so you need to drive yourself or hire a car. It is often combined with the Qitai Silicified Wood and Dinosaur Geopark and Devil's City in a one-day Gobi trip. Check official notices for ticket prices and opening hours. There are few supply stops along the way, so bring plenty of fuel, water and sun protection.
Opening hours
All day (follow scenic area announcements)