Xinjiang | Kumtag Desert: A solitary smoke in the vast desert aligns with the long river as the setting sun forms a perfect circle

| Kumtag Desert: A solitary smoke in the vast desert aligns with the long river as the setting sun forms a perfect circle.⭐️ A half-month journey through Northern Xinjiang took me around a great loop, covering thousands of miles. The pristine snow of the Tianshan Mountains, the colorful beaches carved by the Irtysh River, the paradise of Kanas, the tranquil starry sky and sunrise at Sayram Lake, the evening howls of the Ghost City, the boundless grasslands of Bayinbuluke, the lonely smoke over the desert of Shanshan... A year has passed, but the longing for those magnificent landscapes remains. ⭐️ As one of China's eight great deserts, the Kumtag Desert is located at the southern end of the ancient city of Shanshan in Turpan, stretching over eight hundred miles. 'Kumtag' in the Uyghur language means 'sand mountain'. It was once known as the Sand River, a place without birds in the sky, beasts on the ground, or vegetation, and with an extremely harsh natural environment. ⭐️ Standing at the edge of the desert, one side reveals an endless sea of sand, while the other side is an oasis-like city. This is one of the rare deserts in the world that is in close proximity to a city. For thousands of years, the Kumtag Desert and Shanshan County have met at the southern end of the old city, never moving northward or encroaching upon the city even by half a step. 'The sand does not advance, the green does not retreat, and the people do not relocate.' It is truly a miracle in the history of desert control. ⭐️ In the afternoon, start climbing the dunes under the scorching sun, with feet on the burning yellow sand, struggling to ascend the hill to watch a sunset. ⭐️ I suddenly recall a line from 'Ashes of Time' by the recluse Ouyang Feng in the desert town: 'People always have to go through a process. When you see a mountain, you want to know what's on the other side. I really want to tell him that you might find nothing special after crossing over, and you might feel that this side is even better.' ⭐️ Having watched too many martial arts films in my youth, I have too many indelible emotions about the vast deserts filled with yellow sand, the bamboo forests fraught with danger, and the remote peach blossoms... There are just too many lingering sentiments. Tips: Ticket price: 30 RMB per person, sightseeing train 30 RMB per person (includes round trip). Entertainment activities include sand sliding, camel riding, desert surfing, etc. It is recommended to enter the scenic area after 5 pm to avoid the severe heat and to pay attention to sun protection and hydration.