Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon

Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon is also calledTianshan Mysterious Grand CanyonLocated in the northern part of Kuqa County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang, the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon is known as "Kizilia" in Uyghur, meaning "red cliffs," due to its massive red-brown mountain formations. The towering red-brown peaks of the canyon pierce the sky, glowing like clusters of burning flames under the sunlight.

Entering the valley and walking among the reddish-brown mountains feels like stepping into a tranquil and refreshing world. The valley entrance is wide open, but as you venture deeper, the path twists and turns, alternating between broad and narrow passages—some spots are so tight you can only squeeze through sideways. The valley floor remains relatively flat, allowing for leisurely strolls most of the time, flanked by towering rock walls underfoot with fine sand and shallow water covering many sections, topped with a thin layer of ice. Look up, and against the blue sky, countless bizarre peaks and rocks take on endless forms—each vividly shaped like the Guardian Dog Valley, Spinning Ancient Fort, Apparition Cave, Jade Maiden Spring, and Sleeping Camel Peak.

The mysterious A'ai Grottoes in the canyon are less than 2 km from the valley entrance, perched high on a sheer cliff face. Originally accessible only by climbing a 30m suspended ladder, stone steps have now been added alongside. Research indicates the grottoes were built during the mid-Tang Dynasty's golden age. The small grotto measures under 5m deep and stands about human height with an arched ceiling. Remarkably, remnants of murals on all three walls feature rare Chinese characters - a striking contrast to hundreds of other ancient grottoes in the Western Regions, clearly demonstrating Han cultural influences.