The flaming mountains are situated in the middle of the Turfan basin, also 28 km south of Turfan. It runs 100km from East to West, 10km from South to North, and averages 500 m above sea level. The highest altitude is near by Shengjin-gate, 851m. The area is known as the hottest land in China. The name, "Flaming mountains" comes from a scene which mountain surface looks like burning by air turbulence during Summer. It was made famous by the classical Chinese mythological novel "Journey to the West" (Xiyouji).