Wuerhe Devil City: Yardang Landscape + Sunset + Photography Guide

Wuerhe Devil City: Yardang Landscape + Sunset + Photography Guide

In the Gobi near Karamay, there's a city "carved by wind" — Wuerhe Devil City. Rows of yardang "castles" stand on the barren land, and when wind passes through they make a mournful howl, giving the place its name.

It's also a filming location for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Seven Swords, and every shot feels cinematic.

🏜️ What Is Devil City

• Location: Wuerhe District, Karamay City, about 100 km from the city, beside G217
• Highlights: classic yardang — once a lake bed, uplifted and wind-carved into towers and castle-like mounds
• Ticket + shuttle: ~60–90 CNY (subject to year)
• Filming: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Seven Swords, etc.

🎫 How to Visit (Route)

Shuttle route: the scenic area has a loop; shuttle (or walking) links multiple viewpoints with symbolic formations like "Sphinx" and "Peacock Opening."

Main sights:

• Viewpoints: overlook the whole yardang group, bleak and grand
• Wind-carved castles: soil mounds of all shapes, plenty of imagination
• Sunset zone: most beautiful in the evening light

📷 When to Shoot Best

Golden time: from 1 hour before sunset to 30 minutes after sunset.

• Setting sun paints the yardang gold with the strongest 3D contrast
• Backlight captures the silhouettes of the castle group
• Evening skies are colorful — the clouds make a natural backdrop

Other times:

• Early morning: soft light, fewer people
• Midday: harsh contrast, washed-out gray — less photogenic

🌅 Sunset Arrangement

• Check the day's sunset time before departing
• Enter 1.5 hours early, take the shuttle to a deep viewpoint
• The place gets crowded at sunset — grab a good spot and shoot until the light fades

🚗 Getting There

• Self-drive: from Karamay north along G217, about 1–1.5 hours, good roads
• Charter / carpool: Karamay offers day trips
• Near Buerjin, can be added to a northern Xinjiang loop

📌 Practical Tips

1. Gobi sun is strong and wind/sand heavy; bring sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and windbreaker
2. Dry ground and open paths; wear comfortable non-slip shoes
3. Shuttles stop at fixed points; don't leave the boardwalk into the yardang (easy to get lost, damages landforms)
4. Cool in the autumn evening; bring a jacket
5. Protect the yardang — don't climb or carve

Devil City's bleak beauty plus sunset and wind makes it a classic on the northern Xinjiang loop. Time it right, and you'll capture cinematic desert shots.