Heading north from Urumqi, you can't miss Wuerhe. Here, vast wind-eroded landforms stretch across the landscape—locally known as the "City of Devils." Despite its intimidating name, it's actually a type of yardang formation. Walking through it, you'll clearly feel the power of wind and sand.
1. How to enter and navigate the scenic area
A large parking lot is located at the scenic area entrance. After purchasing tickets, take the shuttle bus to the core zone. The shuttle stops at designated stations; you can disembark at key viewing platforms, explore via boardwalks, and reboard at the next stop. The full tour takes approximately 90 minutes at a relaxed pace.
The boardwalks are flat and easy to walk, but they offer little shade under strong sun. The real highlight is the rock formations' silhouettes: some resemble battlements, others look human-shaped. Their appearance changes depending on your viewing angle.
II. Best Time to Visit
Arrive after 5 PM: the slanting light casts shadows on the rock formations, defining their outlines and creating a far more dramatic view than at midday. In summer, sunset is late; it remains bright until around 9 PM, allowing you to stay until dusk. The downside: winds pick up quickly in the evening, so bring an extra layer.
How to protect equipment during high winds
Winds in Wuerhe are common year-round, stinging your cheeks with sand. When swapping lenses on cameras or phones, hold the body downward to shield the mount from the wind; add weight to tripods or skip them entirely and steady the camera against a wall before shooting. Contact lens wearers should bring a pair of glasses as backup.
3. What sets it apart from other Yadan formations in Xinjiang?
Yardangs in Xinjiang are found in multiple locations. The Wuerhe area features large, densely packed formations ideal for viewing their overall silhouettes. In eastern Xinjiang, the yardangs have deep ravines and feel like a maze when you walk inside. Along the Tarim River in southern Xinjiang, they blend seamlessly with the desert, offering vast, open landscapes.
- Wu'erhhe: Dense rock formations with sightseeing carts and boardwalks for a relaxed tour.
- Dongjiang: Rugged terrain with defined trails; best enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
- Southern Xinjiang: Connected to the desert, long distances; arrange transportation in advance.
To explore more landforms, you canWorld Devil CityandDongjiang YadanSplitting this into two trips avoids excessive travel in a single journey. Southern Xinjiang's...Wensu Grand CanyonIt's a canyon landform, distinct from yardang terrain, and fits more naturally within the Southern Xinjiang route.
IV. How to plan a day trip in the surrounding area
Wu'erhe Town offers accommodation and dining with more flexible conditions than those inside the scenic area, plus convenient fueling. It's about 280 km north to Burqin (roughly a 4-hour drive) and about 100 km east back to Karamay. Many travelers include it as either the first or last stop on their Northern Xinjiang loop tour.
We'll spend our first night in Wuerhe, departing Urumqi at 7:30 AM, having lunch in town by noon, entering the scenic area at 5 PM, and staying overnight in town. The next day, we head north at a relaxed pace. Xinjiang International Travel's private small tours for 2 to 6 people often follow this schedule. For details, please call 18999127242. If you're traveling on windy or sandy days, refer to our guide on essential gear and sun protection preparations.Sun Protection & MoisturizingThis one.
5. What else is there around Wuhuo?
Beyond the Ghost City in Wuerhe Town, there's a canyon along Baiyang River with steep walls and dense shade—a stark contrast to the Gobi landscape. The hike takes over an hour. To the south lies a lake; in summer, its surface is calm, fringed with reeds, though mosquitoes are more prevalent there.
Stay overnight in town for the best experience. Dinner options focus on noodles and grilled meats, with convenient resupply available. Heading north to Burqin tomorrow covers approximately 280 km (about 4 hours), while returning south to Karamay is around 100 km (just over an hour).
Add this day to the itinerary
On the Northern Xinjiang Loop, Wuerhe is often selected as the first overnight stop: depart Urumqi in the morning, have lunch in town by noon, visit the scenic area in the afternoon, and stay in town for the night. This keeps the next day's drive manageable and helps avoid fatigue.
If you have extra time, stay an additional night in town to explore a nearby canyon and lake. If you're short on time, visit only the Devil City and save your energy for the upcoming destinations: Kanas and Hemu.
In the Devil's City, rock formations are defined by light and shadow. Include foreground ridges in your composition to convey a sense of scale. Due to heavy wind and sand, change lenses inside your vehicle or shield them with a jacket; clean the camera body with a soft brush back at your accommodation—never wipe it on-site. For phone photography, ensure the lens is spotless; even a thin layer of dust can make images look hazy. In the half-hour before sunset, lighting changes rapidly, so decide which direction you want to shoot beforehand to save time.
