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The Tuyugou Grand Canyon is located in the Huoyan Mountain in Shanshan County. The canyon is 8 kilometers long and has an average width of about 1 kilometer. It cuts the Huoyan Mountain vertically from north to south. The colorful mountain rocks are clearly visible. The wonders of nature are amazing and astonishing.
The Tuyugou Grand Canyon is a place full of mystery. It not only has the canyon scenery with rugged rocks and crisscrossing ravines, but also the Tuyugou Thousand Buddha Caves and Tuyugou Mazar (tombs); it not only has mosques with Islamic architectural style, but also the remains of large Tibetan Buddhist temples. It is the "Mecca of the East" in the minds of Muslims in the northwest region, and a "holy land" in the minds of Buddhists. Every year, many Muslims and Buddhists come here for pilgrimage and worship.
Tuyugou Mazar Village, nestled in the Grand Canyon's southern entrance, is the oldest Uyghur village in Xinjiang. It perfectly preserves ancient Uyghur traditions and customs. From the houses to the thousand-year-old Buddhist caves, all are constructed from yellow clay adobe bricks, inheriting the traditional practice of building with yellow clay that has been in place for over 2,000 years.
Huoyan Mountain is the hottest place in China, with half of the summer
Recommended play time: 2-3 hours
free
All day
Flaming Mountain is famous for its striking red sandstone hills and extreme summer temperatures. It has cultural significance through the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West" and was an important landmark along the Silk Road.
Entrance fee is around 40–50 CNY. Tickets are available at the entrance, and some local travel agencies offer online booking.
Booking is generally optional but recommended during peak tourist seasons or weekends; 3–5 days in advance is sufficient.
2–3 hours are recommended to walk through the main trails and take photos.
Guided tours are occasionally available in Chinese; English tours are rare but can be arranged through travel agencies. Audio guides are generally not provided.
Night visits and light shows are generally not available. Special guided tours can sometimes be arranged by local operators.
Less crowded on weekdays and outside national holidays. Summer mornings are more comfortable before extreme heat sets in.
Basic facilities include restrooms, water stations, small food stalls, shaded rest areas, and souvenir shops near the entrance.
Some trails may be steep or uneven; suitable for children and elderly with care, but accessibility for disabled visitors is limited.
Cash is accepted; Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used for tickets and food purchases.
Halal food is widely available; vegetarian options include local breads, fruits, and nuts.
