Wucaiwan Scenic Area

　　Wucaiwan Scenic Area -- Located over 100 kilometers north of Jimusaer County in the Gurbantünggüt Desert, this area has seen the development of the second-largest oilfield in the Junggar Basin after Karamay. The site is accessible via asphalt roads and gravel roads from the county town.

　　1. Wucai City (Colorful City): As far back as the Jurassic period hundreds of millions of years ago, thick layers of coal were deposited here. Over time, wind erosion and rain wore away the surface sand and stones of the coal seams. After being exposed to the sun and ignited by lightning, the coal seams burned out, leaving behind sintered rock formations. Coupled with varying mineral contents from different geological periods, the rolling hills in this area display a palette dominated by ochre-red, interspersed with yellow, white, black, green, and other colors. Further shaped by wind, sun, and rain, they formed what is known as "yardang landform." Viewed from afar or up close, the hills resemble ancient city walls and fortresses, hence the name.

　　2. Huoshao Mountain (Burned Mountain): The difference between Huoshao Mountain and Wucai City lies in the fact that the undulating hills here are not colorful but entirely composed of sintered rock in a uniform ochre-red hue. Looking around, almost no other colors can be seen. At dawn and dusk, under the glow of sunrise or sunset, the mountain appears as if still ablaze, presenting a magnificent and rare sight — hence its name.

　　3. Fossil Valley: The Junggar Basin was once an ocean, with dense primeval forests along its shores. Later, due to several tectonic shifts, vast forests and other flora and fauna were buried deep underground, later turning into fossils that resurfaced. In this fossil valley, there are spectacular stands of petrified wood, as well as various tree seed fossils, fruit fossils, and animal fossils.

　　4. Oil Base: Wucaiwan boasts proven oil reserves of 50 million tons, and over a hundred oil wells have been drilled so far. A new “oil city” is emerging here. Amid the strange and magical colorful landforms, you can also witness the bustling scene of the oil base — a spectacle rarely seen elsewhere. Gurbantünggüt Desert Landscape: Covering a total area of 48,000 square kilometers, the Gurbantünggüt Desert is the second-largest desert in China. Most of its dunes are fixed or semi-fixed. Even tens of kilometers deep into the desert, you can still find large areas of tamarisk, saxaul, reeds, and other green vegetation. In spring and summer, the grass is lush, flowers bloom, and herds of livestock roam, creating a uniquely spectacular landscape seldom seen elsewhere.