 The
Flaming Mountains, lying in the middle of the Turpan Depression
and running from east to west, are one of the branch ranges of the
Tianshan Mountains and were formed in the orogenic movements of the
Himalayas fifty million years ago.
In millions of years, the natural weathering and the numerous folded
belts caused by the crustal movements have formed the undulating lie
and the crisscross gullies and ravines of the Flaming Mountains. Under
the blazing sun, the red rock glows and hot air curls up like smoke
as though it were on fire, hence its name. The mountains are ninety-eight
kilometers long and nine kilometers wide. The highest peak is forty
kilometers east of the city of Turpapn and 831.7 meters above sea
level.
The Flaming Mountains are so hot and so dry that “flying
birds even a thousand li away dare not to come.” Yet, the
mountains at the same time act like a giant natural dam of the underground
reservoir in the basin.
Situated on the north route of the ancient Silk Road, the Flaming
Mountains have many cultural relics and often told ancient tales.
The unbelievable topography, unique products, splendid cultural
relics and the well-known story of the Monkey King (a leading figure
in the Chinese classical novel Journey to the West who extinguished
the flame with a magic fan) nave enjoyed great popularity. In recent
years, the number of visitors to the mountains has been on the increase
and a clamoring to go on the Flaming Mountains tour has arisen.
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