Western Fantasy Canyon

Western Fantasy Canyon

Western Fantasy Canyon is located within Aolunbulage Town in Alxa Left Banner. Aolunbulage Town is just over 60 kilometers away from Dengkou County in Bayannur City via a gravel road, and about 300 kilometers from Bayanhot. The road conditions are good, with several sumu towns along the way, so finding food and lodging is not a problem. It is an ideal destination for travelers with cars who wish to explore the desert independently. The Fantasy Canyon features numerous unique landscapes, mainly including: the Seven-Colored Divine Mountain, Human Root Peak, and Stone Camel. Their visual resemblance and spiritual symbolism are considered one of the wonders of the world’s natural landscapes. The stunning scenery leaves visitors spellbound.

Seven-Colored Divine Mountain

The Yin Mountains within Aolunbulage Town in Alxa Left Banner are hailed by local herders as the “Seven-Colored Divine Mountain.” The mountain displays a variety of colors, including red, yellow, gray, and white. Under the glow of the setting sun, the mountain glows with radiant hues, resembling a multicolored hada scarf wrapped around it—dreamlike and surreal... The “Fantasy Canyon” is composed of deep red sandstone and stretches 5 kilometers in length. Against the backdrop of blue skies and white clouds, it is extraordinarily magnificent and imposing. Having endured millennia of wind erosion and floods, the canyon now stands as a testament to timeless grandeur. Walking through it, with its winding paths and ever-changing scenery, feels like stepping into a dreamlike world. Within the canyon lies a huge red rock that may seem ordinary at first glance, but its white sand patterns surprisingly form the Mongolian characters for “Alxa,” which is truly astonishing.

Human Root Peak

In a valley not far from Western Fantasy Canyon, visitors will be amazed to find a massive stone pillar pointing straight toward the sky. The column is reddish-brown in color, over 20 meters tall, and roughly ten people could join hands around its base. Its shape closely resembles the male reproductive organ. Local herders regard it as a totem and worship it. A century ago, the “Red Pagoda Temple” was built nearby, and its incense has burned continuously for a hundred years. Infertile men and women have traveled from afar to kneel and pray for blessings from above. Many indigenous cultures around the world have traditions of worshiping the phallus. Local authorities are applying for the site to be included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage list to protect it. The peak attracts tourists from all over the world who come to admire this extraordinary spectacle.

Stone Camel

On a cliff face hundreds of meters high, a protruding part of a giant rock strikingly resembles a camel moving forward with its head held high and hooves pounding the ground. Even more astonishingly, this “Stone Camel” changes its appearance with the shifting desert climate, looking different in winter and summer. In winter, the “Stone Camel” appears robust and full-furred. In summer, it looks lean with its downy coat faded. According to local herders, this visual effect is due to the varying moisture content in the mountain caused by seasonal climate changes, resulting in shifts in color. Many curious tourists find this phenomenon puzzling, which only adds to their fascination. Within the Western Fantasy Canyon scenic area in Aolunbulage Town, there are not only the Human Root Peak and the Seven-Colored Divine Mountain, but also dozens of other natural and cultural attractions such as the Divine Water Cave, Mother Gate Cave, Red Pagoda Temple, Beacon Tower, Lake Buir, Bul Temple, and General’s Tomb. Moreover, visitors can also witness the desert mirage here.

Aolunbulage Town: I. Basic Information About Aolunbulage Town

Aolunbulage Town is located in the northeastern part of Alxa Left Banner, Inner Mongolia. To the east, it borders the Hetao Plain; to the south, it faces the Ulan Buh Desert; to the west, it connects with the Alxa Grassland; and to the north, it lies against the foothills of the Yin Mountains. The town covers a total area of 4,789 square kilometers and features a diverse landscape consisting of deserts, marsh lakes, hills, Gobi plains, and flatlands. The town has a population of over 4,125, predominantly Han Chinese, with ethnic minorities including Mongolian, Hui, and Dongxiang. The town administers three agricultural gachas (Qigezha Ge Gacha, Baotegenwusu Gacha, Mengheharigen Gacha) and six pastoral gachas (Heping Gacha, Qaganderies…). More detailed information about Aolunbulage Town ++