Red Hill

Introducing Red Hill (from China Culture)
Urumqi Red Hill, 910 meters above the sea level at the highest point, is located in the downtown area, on the east bank of the Urumqi River. Its spectacular shape resembles a mighty wriggling dragon at the very center of the city.

Red Hill Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Hong Shan 红山
• Best Time to Visit: April to July, September to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1-2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Nature, Geology
• Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00
• Entrance Fee: Free; CNY 5 for Yuantiao Tower
• Address: No 2 Hongshan Road, Shuimogou District, Urumqi, Xinjiang

What to expect at Red Hill

The 1.5-kilometer (km) long and one-km wide hill is reddish-brown, hence its name of Red Hill. Stretching from the east to the west in Urumqi city, Urumqi Red Hill is dotted with small pavilions and at the top stands a nine-storied, gray-brick pagoda called Zhenlong Pagoda (Pagoda to Suppress Dragons), 8 meters (26.3 feet) high, facing Yamalike Hill.

According to legend, in 1785 and 1786 the city suffered from severe river flooding, supposedly caused by a vicious dragon. If the two mountains (Red Hill and Yamalike Hill) joined, the Urumqi river would be blocked and drown the city. In 1788, Shang An, Urumqi’s governor, had two pagodas built at the top of each hill to suppress the dragon. Now the pagoda still remains intact.

There used to be many famous buildings on Urumqi Red Hill. During the time of the nomadic Oyrat Tribe, an “Ebo” – the name for a kind of cairn used by the tribesmen to worship and offer sacrifice to their gods was built here; in the Qing, the Temple of the Jade Emperor, the Temple of the Great Buddha and the Palace of the Dipper were built at the foot of Urumqi Red Hill. Those splendid temples used to hold Buddhist activities and attracted swarms of worshippers. Unfortunately warlords later burned them down.

Now with emerald greenery, Urumqi Red Hill is a landmark of the city. With a panoramic view on the top, Urumqi Red Hill is one of the best places to enjoy the scenery of Urumqi.

How to get to Red Hill
• Take bus 7, 14, 17, 52, 68, 157, 301, 311, 537, 907, 910, 917, BRT 1, BRT 2, BRT 4, or BRT71 to Hongshan.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Urumqi to Red Hill.

Additional travel advice on Red Hill
• Please take enough food with drinking water with you.
• Please wear the sunscreen cream, sunglasses and the like to stop the strong sunlight shining your body directly in the dry weather.
• Please take enough warm clothes with you even in summer as the temperature difference is big between the daytime and the evening in Urumqi.