The World Devil City Scenic Area is located in Urho District, Karamay City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area.
The total area of the scenic area is approximately 260 square kilometers, and it is a typical Yadan landform area. Due to the unique wind erosion effect here, a wide variety of strange landform shapes have been formed. Some rocks are like castles and palaces, while others resemble human figures or animal shapes, presenting a great diversity of postures. Whenever a strong wind howls past, the airflow shuttles and swirls among the strange rocks, emitting a shrill howling sound, just like the wailing of ghosts and wolves, which is how the "World Devil City" got its name. The scenic area has well-built tourist roads, viewing platforms and other facilities, making it convenient for tourists to admire these unique landform landscapes up close.
History and Culture
The area where the World Devil City is located was once a lake in ancient times, and a large amount of sediment accumulated here. As time went by, crustal movements caused this area to gradually rise, the lake dried up, and the sediments at the bottom of the lake were exposed.
After a long period of geological processes such as wind erosion and water erosion, the soft parts were eroded away, and the hard rocks were retained, forming the current Yadan landform. In ancient times, this place was one of the important passages of the Silk Road. Numerous caravans and travelers passed through here, leaving behind many historical stories and legends.
Local ethnic minorities such as the Kazakhs and Mongolians live on this land. Their traditional cultures blend with the unique landforms, forming a distinctive regional culture. Their folk customs, traditional techniques, etc., all add a rich cultural color to the World Devil City.
Main Attractions
The Yadan Landform Group of the Devil City
The Yadan landform group of the Devil City is the core landscape of the scenic area. The rocks here have various shapes and a grand scale. Some rocks tower into the clouds, like mysterious castles guarding this land; others are low and winding, resembling giant dragons coiled. According to statistics, the entire Yadan landform group contains hundreds of uniquely shaped wind-eroded rock bodies. When tourists stroll among them, they seem to be in a fantasy world, and every landscape makes people marvel at the uncanny craftsmanship of nature.
Dinosaur Valley
The Dinosaur Valley is a very distinctive scenic spot within the scenic area. A large number of dinosaur fossils have been unearthed here, proving that in ancient times, this place was one of the habitats of dinosaurs. The scenic area displays many dinosaur fossil specimens and restored dinosaur models, with a rich variety, including Tyrannosaurus rex, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, etc. The Dinosaur Valley covers an area of about 50,000 square meters. Through scene restoration and popular science displays, tourists can intuitively understand the living habits of dinosaurs and the ancient ecological environment.
Film and Television Shooting Base
Due to its unique landform landscape, the World Devil City has become a shooting location for many film and television works. Famous films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Seven Swords Down the Tianshan Mountains", and "No Man's Land" have all been filmed here. Some of the scenes and props built during the filming are retained in the scenic area. Tourists can trace the footprints in the movies here and feel the perfect combination of film art and natural landscape. Here, you can imagine yourself in the scenes of the movies and experience a different kind of fun.
Delicacies
Karamay Cold Noodles
Karamay cold noodles are a popular local specialty. Its production process is unique. High-quality flour is selected to make chewy cold noodles, which are paired with carefully prepared seasonings such as chili oil, vinegar, and garlic juice, and then added with side dishes such as shredded cucumbers and bean sprouts. The taste is smooth and refreshing, with a sour and spicy flavor. The price of a serving of Karamay cold noodles is generally around 10 to 15 yuan, and there may be fluctuations in different stores depending on the ingredients and portion sizes.
Big Plate Chicken
Big Plate Chicken is a classic dish in Xinjiang, and you can also taste the authentic flavor around the World Devil City Scenic Area. This dish uses chicken, potatoes, chili peppers and other main ingredients. The chicken is tender and juicy, the potatoes are soft and delicious, and the soup is rich and mellow. It is usually served with wide and chewy belt noodles, allowing diners to have a hearty meal. The price of a plate of Big Plate Chicken is approximately between 60 and 100 yuan, suitable for 2 to 3 people to share.
Roasted Mutton
Roasted mutton is one of the representative delicacies of Xinjiang and can be seen everywhere around the scenic area. Fresh mutton is selected and cut into uniform pieces, marinated, and then carefully roasted over charcoal fire. The roasted mutton is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Sprinkled with seasonings such as cumin and chili powder, it is fragrant and makes people drool. The price of each skewer of roasted mutton is generally between 5 and 10 yuan, which may vary according to the quality and size of the mutton.
Nang
Nang is a traditional noodle food in Xinjiang with a long history. It is made by fermenting flour, adding seasonings such as sesame seeds and onions, and baking it in a nang pit. There are various types of nang, such as thin nang, thick nang, and oily nang. It has a crispy taste and is easy to store and carry. Around the scenic area, the price of an ordinary nang is approximately between 2 and 5 yuan.
Milk Tea
Milk tea is an indispensable beverage in the daily life of local ethnic minorities. It is mainly made from brick tea and fresh milk or goat milk through processes such as boiling and stirring. The milk tea has a rich flavor and is nutritious. It can not only quench thirst but also keep warm and satisfy hunger in cold weather. In the stores near the scenic area, the price of a cup of milk tea is generally between 5 and 15 yuan, and there may be differences depending on the type and ingredients of the milk tea.
Entrance Tickets
The entrance ticket price of the World Devil City Scenic Area is 62 yuan per person, and the price of the shuttle bus is 20 yuan per person. The package ticket (including the entrance ticket and the shuttle bus) is 82 yuan per person. There are some self-funded projects in the scenic area, such as desert off-road vehicle experiences and camel riding, and the prices are determined according to specific projects. Among them, the price of a desert off-road vehicle experience is generally between 200 and 300 yuan each time, and the price of camel riding is approximately between 30 and 50 yuan each time.
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic area, "世界魔鬼城", to obtain the latest news or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of the World Devil City Scenic Area are from 08:30 to 20:30 from April 1st to October 31st every year; and from 10:30 to 18:00 from November 1st to March 31st of the following year. The scenic area may adjust the opening hours according to actual situations (such as weather, holidays, etc.). It is recommended that tourists pay attention to the official announcements of the scenic area before visiting to obtain the latest information.
You can obtain the latest news on the official WeChat public account of the scenic area.
Tour Routes
Recommended tour route: After entering the scenic area, first take the shuttle bus to tour the Yadan landform group of the Devil City, and get off at each viewing platform to admire different landform landscapes, which takes about 1.5 hours in total. Then go to the Dinosaur Valley, visit the dinosaur fossils and models, and learn about the relevant knowledge of the dinosaur era, with a tour time of approximately 1 hour. After that, go to the Film and Television Shooting Base, explore the scenes and stories of the film shooting, with a tour time of about 1 hour. If you have enough time and are interested, you can also experience projects such as desert off-road vehicles or camel riding to deeply feel the unique charm of the Devil City. Finally, taste the local special cuisine in the restaurants inside or around the scenic area to end the pleasant journey.
Transportation
- By plane: You can first arrive at Karamay Airport, which is about 100 kilometers away from the World Devil City Scenic Area. After arriving at the airport, you can choose to rent a car and drive to the scenic area, which takes about 1.5 hours; or you can first take the airport bus to Karamay Urban Area, then transfer to the bus to Urho District, and after arriving in Urho District, take a taxi to the scenic area. The taxi fare from Urho District to the scenic area is about 20 to 30 yuan.
- By train: Take the train to Karamay Station. There are buses from Karamay Station to Urho District. The buses run several times a day, and the journey takes about 2 hours. After arriving in Urho District, you can take a taxi to the scenic area.
- Self-driving: Start from Karamay Urban Area and drive along National Highway 217. The whole journey is about 100 kilometers, and the road conditions are good. The driving time is about 1.5 hours. There is a parking lot in the scenic area, and the parking fee is generally between 10 and 20 yuan. When driving by yourself, you need to pay attention to obeying traffic rules, especially on the sections close to the scenic area.
Must-visit Attractions
- The Yadan Landform Group of the Devil City: The core landscape of the scenic area, composed of hundreds of wind-eroded rock bodies with various shapes, demonstrating the magical creativity of nature, and it is an excellent place to admire the Yadan landform.
- Dinosaur Valley: Covering an area of about 50,000 square meters, it displays a large number of dinosaur fossils and restored models, enabling tourists to understand the ecological environment of the dinosaur era and having high popular science value.
- Film and Television Shooting Base: It has been the shooting location of many well-known film and television works, and some shooting scenes and props are retained. Tourists can feel the integration of film and reality here and trace the classic scenes in the movies.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to spend 3 to 4 hours visiting. If you want to experience more self-funded projects or conduct in-depth tours, you can arrange half a day to fully feel the charm of the scenic area.
- The ultraviolet rays in the scenic area are strong. No matter which season you go, you should take sun protection measures, such as applying sunscreen, wearing sunglasses, and a sun hat, to prevent sunburn.
- Since the scenic area is large, the shuttle bus is the main means of transportation. Pay attention to the operation time and stop points of the shuttle bus and plan your tour itinerary reasonably.
- Respect the local customs and cultural traditions, especially when communicating with local ethnic minorities or visiting relevant cultural places.
- If you choose to drive by yourself, check the vehicle condition before departure and prepare enough water and food. There may be few gas stations around the scenic area, so pay attention to planning the refueling points in advance.
Notes
- The dust in some areas of the scenic area is large. It is recommended to wear a mask to protect respiratory health.
- When experiencing projects such as desert off-road vehicles and camel riding, strictly follow the guidance of the staff, wear safety equipment correctly, and do not operate or engage in dangerous behaviors without permission.
- Do not climb the rocks in the scenic area casually to avoid accidents or damage to the geological landscape.
- When purchasing goods or consuming in the scenic area, check the prices carefully to avoid disputes caused by unclear prices.
- When leaving the scenic area, please take away your garbage, keep the environmental hygiene of the scenic area, and jointly maintain the beautiful natural landscape.