Urumqi Zhaobi Mountain

Urumqi Zhaobi Mountain

Urumqi Zhaobi Mountain

Zhaobi Mountain is located in the deep forests of Banfanggou, 40 kilometers south of Urumqi. It is a majestic mountain ridge densely covered with pure spruce forests of the Tianshan Mountains. The mountain stretches from northeast to southwest, surrounded by water on three sides, with one side forming a pyramid shape as high as 400 meters. According to local legend, Zhaobi Mountain earned its name due to its steep cliffs,…

Folklore says that Zhaobi Mountain got its name because of its steep terrain, where sunlight and river reflections compete in brilliance. Another myth tells the story of how the monk Tang Sanzang and his disciples, on their journey to the West to retrieve Buddhist scriptures, once passed through this area. They encountered seven snake demons blocking their path, who demanded to fight Sun Wukong. Unwilling to engage, Sun Wukong casually plucked a celestial hair and turned it into a magical fruit, which he threw toward Zhaobi Mountain. The snake demons, lusting after the fruit, lunged at it simultaneously from three different directions, fighting over it. The Great Sage then recited a spell that immobilized them in place, and they eventually became the towering mountain ridges.

On the southern side of Zhaobi Mountain, the river valley is flanked by cliffs facing each other, leaving only a narrow strip of blue sky visible, forming the famous Shuixia (Water Gorge), which stretches over ten kilometers. One particularly scenic section, the Hou Shan Wu Dao Ao gorge, features dense forests, thick grass, towering cliffs hugging the water, and numerous stone gates. With winding mountains and turning waters, the environment is exceptionally serene and perilously beautiful. It is often frequented by wildlife such as red deer, roe deer, and wild boars, making it an ideal spot for adventure and eco-tourism.

Address: 40 kilometers south of Urumqi city