Hongguang Mountain 红光山

About Hongguang Mountain

The district culture and tourism bureau describes Hongguang Mountain as a national AAAA-grade scenic area of 10,000 mu in the north-east of Urumqi, combining ecological sightseeing, leisure holidays, sport and entertainment and research education. Its ridge winds across the north-east of the city, with Bogda Peak, the main peak of the eastern Tianshan, behind it and the Urumqi River, now the Hetan expressway, in front.

The hill was short of water and almost bare of vegetation and was formerly dug for brick clay. The district records that in 2002 the head of the Xinjiang Junfa group decided to invest in afforestation there, and that since the programme began more than 510,000 trees have been planted, 8,100 mu greened and about 24 km of scenic roads and 132 km of water supply pipe laid. The investment, the investor and these figures are the district's own statements.

Five landscape zones have been built: a traditional-theme culture zone, an ecological leisure tourism zone, the Languang Lake water-sports zone, a culture and arts experience zone and a hotel service zone. The municipal register enters 红光山景区 as a 4A-grade scenic area in Midong District at 1 Hongguangshan Road. The catalogue highlight for this record refers to a modern Buddhist temple, but neither source used here mentions a temple or a Buddha image, so that part of the catalogue entry is not supported by them.

What to look for

• The ridge of Hongguang Mountain, which the district describes as winding across the north-east of Urumqi with Bogda Peak behind it and the Urumqi River in front.
• The Languang Lake water-sports zone, one of the five landscape zones the district lists.
• The traditional-theme culture zone and the culture and arts experience zone, also among the five zones.
• The planted hillside itself: more than 510,000 trees and 8,100 mu of greening on what the district says was a barren brick-clay hill.

Location & getting there

Getting to Hongguang Mountain

Check which interiors and courtyards are accessible. Active places of worship and protected monuments may have different visitor rules.

• Search for 红光山 with 乌鲁木齐市 and 米东区.