Flaming Mountains

火焰山

The Flaming Mountains from Journey to the West: a range of red sandstone stretching for over 100 kilometres. The giant thermometer in the scenic area is the hottest photo spot in Xinjiang.

The Flaming Mountains are a branch of the Tian Shan, about 100 kilometres long from east to west and about 10 kilometres wide from north to south. Composed of red sandstone and mudstone from the Jurassic to the Tertiary, the mountains glow fiery red under the blazing sun. They became world-famous through the “Tang Monk Borrowing the Palm-Leaf Fan” episode in Journey to the West. The scenic area lies beside National Highway 312, about 30 kilometres east of Turpan city centre, and it is on the must-visit eastern route. It has an underground part and a surface part. The underground exhibition hall features Journey to the West sculptures and an introduction to the geology of the Flaming Mountains. On the surface plaza stands a 12-metre giant thermometer nicknamed the “Golden Cudgel” (the Monkey King's staff), which shows the real-time surface temperature. In summer it often exceeds 60°C, making it a must-photograph. Around the plaza, you can ride camels and photograph the statues of Princess Iron Fan and the Bull Demon King, and gaze out over the mountain gullies. Admission is about CNY 40, and a visit generally takes 30–60 minutes. Going early in the morning or in the evening is best, when the slanting light makes the mountains look reddest and most photogenic. Note: there is no shade on the ground, and in summer the midday temperature is extreme, so bring water and a hat and avoid staying out in the open for long. The site is not large, so do not be pressured into overpriced add-ons such as “riding a camel into the mountains.” Most visitors combine the Flaming Mountains with Grape Valley, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and Tuyugou into a single route.

Flaming Mountains

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