The Splendid Scenery of Kezierya

The Splendid Scenery of Kezierya

Introduction   The Splendid Scenery of Kezierya is located in the mountainous area north of Kuqa County, historically known as the “Northern Mountains” and referred to in ancient texts as the “Red Sand Mountains.” Heading north out of Kuqa County, along the 120-kilometer road to the “Big Dragon Pool,” the area is surrounded by mountains and scattered with bizarre rocks. The peaks come in a myriad of shapes and colors, including red, yellow, green, and white. The famous “Red Sand Mountains” scenic area is located at the 65-kilometer mark along this road.

The Red Sand Mountains display a reddish-brown hue and, under the sunlight, are often shrouded in mist, resembling burning flames. The area also features uniquely shaped, beautiful peaks. Over the centuries, shaped by the forces of nature, some resemble the “Stone Forest” of Guilin; others look like Tibet’s “Potala Palace”; some resemble skyscrapers; and some even look like the stone houses once inhabited by primitive humans. Nearby this scenic area are the ancient and renowned Kuqa coke-sand iron smelting ruins and copper smelting sites.

Aksu City, Xinjiang