Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Non-Fiction 2018 | Page 2

The Flaming Mountain
Regents Primary School of Shenzhen, Chen, Jundao - 9
T
he Flaming Mountain is the most famous scenic spot in Turpan, in northwestern part of China. The
mountain is more than 100 kilometers long. The widest point is 10 kilometers and it is 500 meters
above sea level. The main peak is 831.7 meters above sea level. Every summer, with the red sun in
the sky, the Auburn Mountain under the sun shines. The sand-stones become flashy, the hot air rises, like a
burning flame. So everyone in China knows the famed Flame Mountain .
Referring to the Flaming Mountain, I believe that most people know it through the novel “Journey to
the West”. The story is that Sun Wukong (Monkey King) made havoc in the sky, kicked over the furnace
of taishanglaojun (an elder heavenly statesman), which fell from the sky, and formed the Flaming Mountain
in Turpan. When the Tang priest group had to go through the mountain, Sun Wukong went to borrow the
plantain fan before overcoming many hardships, and the blazing fire was extinguished three times.
About the Flaming Mountain, there is another version of the Uighur folklore. Legend of the Tianshan
Mountain says there is a dragon which preyed on boys and girls. There was an Uighur warrior for the
people, and he fought the evil dragon for three days and three nights. Finally, he killed the dragon. The evil
dragon became the flaming Mountain after its death, with its blood painting the mountains red in colour.
Uighurs called the mountain " Kezi ", meaning red hill. Further, the story goes that the eight sword marks
on the dragon become the valley of the eight roads, including Grape Valley, Spit Valley and so on.
According to another legend, the real cause of the formation of the Flaming Mountain is the crustal
movement. A friend from Xinjiang said that it is impossible to stay near the Flaming Mountain for a long
time in the Summer. I hope I can travel to the Flaming Mountain. I believe to stand there, and then read
the novel “Journey to the West”, should be an enticing and unforgettable experience!