Sanlongsha Yardang

Sanlongsha Yardang

Sanlongsha Yardang is part of the Yardang landform in the Lop Nur region. It is located to the east of Sanlongsha in the Aqike Valley, Xinjiang, with the Yardang distribution area spanning approximately 10 kilometers in both the east-west and north-south directions, covering an area of around 100 square kilometers. The Sanlongsha Yardang spectacle stretches hundreds of miles from east to west and is named after three broken rocks in the middle. It is a famous natural landscape in China. This landform was ranked third among the “Top Three Most Beautiful Yardangs in China” by the “Picking the Beauty of China” campaign organized by Chinese National Geography.

Entering the Lop Nur, after viewing the dried-up bed of the Kongque River and the ruins of Loulan, you will arrive at Sanlongsha, where you can further sense the vicissitudes of history and the ruthlessness of nature. Once a rich and beautiful place has turned into a desert, yet this desert has not forgotten its former beauty and continues to display its majestic spirit in another way.

Sanlongsha Yardang is also known as a place where devils come and go. Due to the similar shapes of the earthen mounds, it is easy to get lost when walking through them. In the event of a sandstorm, the howling wind sounds like ghostly cries, creating a very perilous scene. It is referred to as a “devil’s city.”

The earthen mounds of Sanlongsha Yardang reach heights of 15–20 meters, with most extending up to 200 meters in length. All the mounds are arranged in long strips running east-west, resembling a group of giant whales in the vast sea of sand or rows of battleships from a united fleet cruising along, exuding a magnificent aura. Due to the varied shapes of the mounds, some describe them as dragons, tigers, or castles. The hills of Sanlongsha Yardang mainly consist of interbedded light brown mudstone and sandstone, producing different colors under the sunlight, creating a captivating landscape. There are various theories about the formation of Sanlongsha Yardang, but most believe it is primarily shaped by flood erosion, combined with the effects of wind. When the wind picks up, the sand moves like slithering snakes, and if you walk in the wind, fine sand will spiral up along your feet to your knees. Hence, there is a local saying: “Walk fast on quicksand, walk slowly in water.” To the west of Sanlongsha, there is a monument inscribed with “Bayi Spring,” also called Duhu Spring, locally known as Yangtakekuduke. The People’s Liberation Army passed through here when entering Xinjiang. Additionally, this spot is one of the rare freshwater springs in the desert, attracting wild camels. At dusk, you can often see wild camels coming here to drink.

Sanlongsha Yardang has become one of the best locations for setting up camps when entering the Lop Nur and is also a tourist attraction in the Lop Nur region. Lucky visitors may even find cultural relics beneath the Yardang cliffs, as this area has long been a trade route. Merchant caravans would rest or stay overnight under the cliffs and occasionally leave behind items. Moreover, archaeological and exploration teams also pass through here. Therefore, although Sanlongsha Yardang is uninhabited, traces of human presence remain.

Surrounding Sanlongsha Yardang are also Huyanggou, Xingdi Rock Paintings, Yingpan, Kongque River, Gumugou, the Atomic Bomb Test Base, Tuyin, Longcheng, the Ancient City of Loulan, the Site Where Yu Chunshun Died, Lake Center, Kuluktag Mountain, Dunlike, the Ancient City of Milan, Bailongdui Yardang, Bayi Spring, Sweet Water Well, and the Xiaohe Site.

The Sanlongsha Yardang cluster has been officially designated as a national geopark. Parts of the famous movie “Hero” were filmed here.

Expert Commentary

The forms of Sanlongsha Yardang are rich and vivid, lifelike masterpieces of nature, truly a wonder of creation, embodying a desolate beauty. Nearby lies the famous ancient city of Loulan, where nature and culture blend harmoniously. — Wu Zheng

The dense Yardang clusters present reflections of the myriad aspects of the world: pavilions, towers, speeding vehicles, boats, humans, birds, and beasts—everything imaginable. It is the most unique and beautiful Yardang landform area in China. — Xia Xuncheng