Flaming Mountains
Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu
The Flaming Mountains, located in the Tian Shan range of Xinjiang near the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, are a series of barren, red sandstone hills stretching about 100 kilometers long and 5 to 10 kilometers wide. Their deeply eroded gullies and trenches create an appearance of flames, especially under the intense sunlight, making them a visually stunning natural feature. With average heights around 500 meters and peaks exceeding 800 meters, the mountains endure harsh climatic conditions, including some of the highest recorded land surface temperatures on Earth. Historically, the Flaming Mountains were a significant landmark along the ancient Silk Route, with oasis towns like Gaochang nearby serving as vital rest stops for merchants and Buddhist missionaries. The area is also home to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, a complex of Buddhist grottoes dating from the 5th to 9th centuries, featuring thousands of murals. The mountains gained literary fame through the classic Ming dynasty novel "Journey to the West," where the Monkey King encounters a wall of fire here. Local legends speak of a dragon slain by a hero, whose blood formed the red mountains. Today, the Flaming Mountains attract tourists interested in natural wonders, history, and cultural mythology, with a notable large thermometer measuring the extreme heat of the region.
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Astuce: Visit during the cooler months to avoid the extreme summer heat, which can reach record land surface temperatures. Purchasing tickets in advance for nearby attractions like the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves is recommended. Visitors should carry sufficient water and sun protection due to the harsh climate. The site is accessible from Turpan city, which offers additional amenities. Discounts may be available for students and seniors at certain local sites. Check opening hours in advance as they may vary seasonally.
Faits intéressants
- •The Flaming Mountains are composed of red sandstone whose erosion creates gullies that appear like flames under sunlight.
- •They recorded one of the highest land surface temperatures on Earth at 66.8 °C (152.2 °F) in 2008.
- •The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves near the mountains contain murals dating from the 5th to 9th centuries CE.
- •The mountains are mentioned in the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West" as a fiery obstacle encountered by the monk Xuanzang and the Monkey King.
- •An Uyghur legend tells of a dragon slain near the mountains whose blood formed the red hills and whose body parts became the valleys.
Histoire
The Flaming Mountains have long been a notable geographic landmark in the Xinjiang region, forming part of the Tian Shan mountain range.
In ancient times, they were situated along the Silk Route, with oasis towns like Gaochang serving as important trading hubs.
The area saw Buddhist cultural flourishing between the 5th and 9th centuries, as evidenced by the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves.
The mountains were immortalized in the 16th century novel "Journey to the West," which fictionalized the perilous journey of the monk Xuanzang through this fiery terrain.
Over centuries, the region around the mountains has witnessed various cultural and political changes, reflecting the dynamic history of Xinjiang as a crossroads of civilizations.
Guide du lieu
Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves5th to 9th centuries CE
A complex of about seventy Buddhist cave grottoes carved into the cliffs beneath the Flaming Mountains. These caves date from the 5th to 9th centuries CE and contain thousands of murals depicting Buddha and Buddhist themes, representing a significant cultural and religious heritage of the Silk Route era.
Large Thermometer Display
One of the largest thermometers in China is installed near the Flaming Mountains, measuring the extreme ground temperatures of the area, which often reach some of the highest in the world during summer.