The earth’s burning flames traverse a secret realm across hundreds of millions of years

Layer upon layer of red rocks resemble frozen waves, and on this ancient land, even the wind carries stories from the distant past. As the vehicle drives onto the southern section of the Duku Highway, the scenery outside the window gradually shifts from vast Gobi desert to rolling mountains, and that intense red in the distance can no longer be taken out of sight. The color is pure and vivid, as if flames from deep within the earth have broken through the crust and left their mark after cooling through time. This is the Red Mountain Stone Forest, located 66 kilometers north of Kuqa City in Xinjiang, a geological wonder hidden on the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains. An alien planet resembling the surface of Mars Leaving National Highway 217, turning right after the Kidik Bridge, passing through riverbeds and railway underpasses, you enter the Red Mountain Stone Forest area. It still retains its original ecological appearance—no lush vegetation, no babbling streams, only the blazing red boldly spreading between earth and sky. Walking along the winding valleys carved by flowing water over thousands of years into the stone forest, towering rocks rise into the clouds on both sides like natural city walls, isolating the outside world. The rock textures are extremely unique: some are stacked in horizontal layers, some undulate like waves, and others look as if split by a giant axe, revealing sharp cross-sections. Sunlight filters through the rock crevices, forming golden beams that intertwine with the red rocks, creating a mysterious and dreamlike atmosphere. A masterpiece sculpted by time Careful observation of the Red Mountain Stone Forest reveals layers of different colors. The outermost layer is bright red, beneath which are red and white interspersed, or pale green and light cyan, like colors blended in an oil painting. The rock surfaces are covered with tiny pits and grooves, marks carved by wind and time. Every trace records millions of years of geological changes. Tracing back the formation of the Red Mountain Stone Forest is like reading a magnificent geological epic. Hundreds of millions of years ago, intense crustal movements caused seabed rocks to “rise abruptly,” forming upright monoclinic rocks. Then, through long periods of erosion, wind abrasion, and water carving, the typical yardang landform seen today was formed. If the beauty of the Yunnan Stone Forest is elegant, embodying the grace and charm of the south, then the beauty of Kuqa’s Red Mountain Stone Forest is rugged, carrying the ancient wilderness’s desolation and peculiarity. The Yunnan Stone Forest is full-bodied, while Kuqa’s Red Mountain Stone Forest is more bony, exuding a rough wildness. Color changes under the magic of light and shadow One of the most enchanting features of the Red Mountain Stone Forest is how its colors shift with the changing light. At noon, sunlight pours unreservedly onto the stone forest, making the Red Mountain Stone Forest appear ignited—red and dazzling. The rocks at the top are baked to an almost orange-red, as if ready to melt at any moment, while the shadows at the base deepen, creating a striking contrast. At dusk, the sunset’s afterglow drapes the Red Mountain Stone Forest in a golden veil, with the rock colors gradually shifting from fiery red to orange-red, then to rose red. As the angle of light changes continuously, the shadows in the stone forest move accordingly, and those originally hard rocks become dreamlike and surreal in the play of light and shadow. When rain or snow arrives, the Red Mountain Stone Forest presents another scene—deep and dark red when it rains; when covered by white snow, it looks like flames dancing in white, burning with youth and time. Train: a time-traveling locomotive through past and present A railway runs through the Red Mountain Stone Forest. This is the Kuqa-Russia Railway, and occasionally a train rushes by. The blue and white train body stands out vividly against the red stone forest backdrop, like a time train traveling through the intertwining of ancient and modern. This also makes the Red Mountain Stone Forest a unique photography hotspot. Many photography enthusiasts come specifically to wait for the moment the train passes. The “Demonic Red Mountain Stone Forest” with its needle-like red mountain bodies feels like stepping onto an alien planet. However, photographing the train requires patience. Train schedules are quite unpredictable. Some visitors shared that they waited from 3 p.m. until 7:50 p.m. before finally capturing a train. Before that, a group of visitors who were also waiting were about to leave until someone drove back with the news: “The train is coming!” Aerial photography: a palette overlooking the earth To truly appreciate the grandeur of the Red Mountain Stone Forest, aerial photography is indispensable. As the drone slowly rises, an even more spectacular scene unfolds. The entire Red Mountain Stone Forest looks like a red desert, with undulating rocks resembling sand dunes stretching for kilometers across the land. The stone forest contrasts with the differently colored surrounding mountains—the green grasslands of the Kuqa Valley, yellow sand dunes, and blue sky together form a colorful painting with the red stone forest. The winding Kuqa River flows beside the stone forest like a green ribbon, adding vitality and life to this blazing land. Travel tips Location: 66 kilometers north of Kuqa City, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang, west side of National Highway 217 Duku Highway. Navigation settings: You can directly search for “Red Mountain Stone Forest Train Photography Spot” or “Red Mountain Stone Forest Train Viewing Point.” Using Amap (Gaode Map) makes it easier to find; other maps may not locate it. Best viewing time: Afternoon to dusk. If you want to photograph the train, it is said trains may pass around 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., but the timing is quite irregular and requires patience. Notes: · The Red Mountain Stone Forest is currently undeveloped, retaining its original ecological appearance. · Please protect the geological relics; climbing and carving on the rocks are prohibited. · Mountain weather is changeable; it is recommended to bring rain gear and sun protection. · If you plan to use drones for aerial photography, please comply with local regulations. The Red Mountain Stone Forest, this red wonder, with its unique colors and light and shadow, lets us experience the power of time and feel the force of nature. It is not only a geological marvel but also an open history book, waiting for every traveler to come and read.