Fiery Mountain in Wuhuatan

　　   The Junggar Basin, China’s second-largest basin, is known as a “prehistoric geological museum.” It features the beautiful Colorful City, large tracts of petrified wood, and dinosaur fossils. Located about 250 kilometers from Urumqi, Fiery Mountain in the southeastern part of the Junggar Basin is one of its scenic highlights. Unlike the Flaming Mountains, which are famed for their high temperatures, Fiery Mountain is known for the color of its rocky landscape.

　　   Fiery Mountain is situated within the territory of Jimusar County, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, at Kilometer 443 on National Highway 216, within the Wuhuatan Scenic Area of the Kalameili Mountain Nature Reserve. It stands out vividly along the route of National Highway 216 between Urumqi and Altay. Covering an area of 10 square kilometers, it lies to the west of the Huooshan Oilfield Operation Area in Zhundong and to the east of the Wuhuatan Coal Mine.

　　   Fiery Mountain is different from the Flaming Mountains in Turpan, which are famous for their scorching heat, whereas Fiery Mountain is renowned for the color of its mountain formations. The Colorful City is also well-known for its vibrant rock hues. The distinction between Fiery Mountain and the Colorful City is that while the latter features undulating hills in a spectrum of colors, Fiery Mountain consists entirely of sintered rock in a uniform reddish-brown. Looking around, almost no other colors can be seen. At dawn and dusk, under the glow of sunrise or sunset, the hills appear as if still ablaze — a magnificent and rare sight, hence its name. It is one of the scenic spots along National Highway 216.

　　   The most distinctive feature of Fiery Mountain [1] is that its many gently rolling hills are composed of brick-red and orange-yellow rocks. These rocks are brightly colored, hard in texture, and produce a clear, resonant sound when struck. The entire hilly area glows red under the sunlight, shining brilliantly and creating a spectacular view. Standing here, one can imagine the awe-inspiring scene of a vast sea of fire from hundreds of thousands of years ago. From a high vantage point, mist curls through the valleys, and the sunlit, colorful hills appear even more delicate and translucent, resembling an array of open, multicolored umbrellas. Especially during the morning, midday, and evening, it displays different hues, offering viewers uniquely varied impressions.

　　   The rocks of Fiery Mountain were not originally red. They were baked red due to the spontaneous combustion of underlying coal seams, hence also called baked rocks. The original rock is mostly mudstone, which after baking becomes nearly identical to brick or stone, though denser and harder in texture. The nearby oilfield was named the Fiery Mountain Oilfield, which has helped enhance its fame and familiarity. Located in a desert zone, the mountain is composed of Jurassic strata, with all rocks exposed and almost no vegetation. It is a relatively typical tourist destination featuring Yardang landform scenery.