Ghost Town of the World

The "Ghost Town" in the desert is situated in Wuerhe, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) away from Karamay city, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and takes an area of 100,000 sq meters (10 hectares). Being one of the few typical wind erosion physiognomies in the world, the Ghost City has become a famous tourist area for its unique landform and the howling wind.
 

The Ghost Town is the nickname for Feng Cheng (the Windy Town), and it is named as such for just the wind rather than its appearance. Located in the northern edge of Junggar Basin, between the Altay Mountains and Tianshan Mountains, the Ghost Town is a noted spot in northern Xinjiang where wind blows everyday. Gales of force 8 on the Beaufort scale frequently blow in this area. In ancient times, there was no road linking the area to the outside world and there were no habitations in the surrounding area. When great winds or sand storms rose, they roared through the town like howling ghosts with sand  and dust blocking out the sky. The howl came closer and closer sometimes it was sharp, sometimes hoarse and sometimes like the howl of a wolf which made people's hair stand on end. It hurt when hit the face by the sand. People could not open their eyes while the yellow sand filled the mouth, ears and neck. When the wind eventually stopped, they felt as if they had escaped from a devil' s talons. It is so dreadful that this area become known as the Ghost Town. 

Ghost Town of the World, Karamay

Yardang Landform

After erosion by wind and water for eons, the raised stratum of the Ghost City has been carved into great mounds with various shapes and an average height of 10 meters (33 feet). Some mounds look like castles, temples, pavilions and beacons of the city wall, while some resemble lions, horses, turtles, and eagles. Wander in the Ghost City and you will find nature has re-created many world-famous buildings here. The Temple of Heaven in Beijing, the Potala Palace in Tibet, the Pyramids, the Arab mosques and other architecture all can be seen here. Colorful stones are scattered like pearls dropped by fairies making the place even more mysterious. These extraordinary natural  masterpieces are infinitely wonderful, causing people to linger on with no thought of leaving. Your imagination will be brought into full play.

 

Camels in the Ghost Town

Uygur people

Yardang Landform is the origin of the landscape of this "Ghost Town". According to the textual research, a hundred million years ago, the place was a huge freshwater lake. In the warm and humid climate, the land was covered with dense tropical trees and shrubs. The wet ground and water plants created a green world, where ancient reptiles such as the stegosaurus and pterosaurs lived and multiplied. Following tectonic movement, the land rose gradually into an area of shale and sandstone. After millennia of erosion by wind and rain, the present strange sight of Yardang landform was made. This is not only a good place in which to travel but it also attracts a great deal of attention and interest from those who appreciate its scientific value.

Entrance Fee:	CNY 42  Sightseeing bus ticket fare: CNY 20
Transportation:	Take the local travel bus or hire a car from Karamay to the Ghost Town of World. The fee is about CNY 100-130.

 Further reading: There is also ghost city at Kumul of Xinjiang, it is Devil City.