Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Ren Jiang) news: A vast expanse of fiery red sand unfolds before you, set against the backdrop of a sky as blue as a sapphire. The stark contrast creates a powerful visual shock, leaving visitors in awe. This is the Red Desert scenic area in Keping County, Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a place that seems like a ruby accidentally dropped on the earth, radiating an aura of mystery.

"The Red Desert scenic area is a testament to nature's incredible craftsmanship and has rapidly emerged as a new hotspot for tourism in recent years. It draws visitors from all over to discover its unique allure," said Dou Tianlong, deputy general manager of Kexiaotuo Culture and Tourism Development Group in Keping County.

Photo shows scenery at the Red Desert scenic area in Keping County, Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Dilawur Oblaxi)

Setting off from Keping County towards the Red Desert scenic area, you are greeted with quintessential scenery of southern Xinjiang along the way. It is not until you cross the Red Sand River that the landscape transforms dramatically. The undulating red sand dunes, glistening under the sun, appear like a blazing sea of fire.

These dunes are formed from red rocks that have undergone long-term weathering and erosion, followed by wind transportation and deposition over billions of years. The Red Desert covers an area of about 10 square kilometers and is a unique red desert landscape in China. The tallest dune is over 30 meters high, with fine sand that contains little soil and is rich in various minerals.

Photo shows aerial view of the Red Desert scenic area in Keping County, Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Dilawur Oblaxi)

Upon first sight of the Red Desert, a tourist from south China’s Guangdong, Ou Haoyang, couldn't help but exclaim, "All the deserts I've seen before were tan. This red one is just fascinating!" Not only visitors from outside Xinjiang are intrigued by the Red Desert, but even locals who are used to seeing deserts are deeply interested. Many tourists drive from Aksu City just to catch a glimpse of this unique red desert.

The red desert is already eye-catching among desert landscapes. Against the backdrop of the blue sky, the colors clash and the saturation is very high. Every casual snap turns into a breathtaking masterpiece. The undulating and layered dunes look like works of art carefully sculpted by nature. Visitors with cameras and phones in hand can be seen everywhere on the dunes.

"Access to the scenic area is very convenient. It's just a short distance from the highway. Now, with all the tourism facilities in place, it's easy and comfortable to visit," said Zhao Zhangwu, the manager of the scenic area. At present, the scenic area has a visitor reception center, restaurant, homestays, self-driving camp, sand therapy experience area, folk sports arena, amusement facilities, parking lot, and public restrooms. Meanwhile, tourism activities such as camel riding, desert off-road driving, and off-road challenges are also becoming more popular.

Photo shows tourists take a camel ride at the Red Desert scenic area in Keping County, Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Dilawur Oblaxi)

Nowadays, the Red Desert scenic area has become more and more charming. The recreational activities are also increasingly complete, which can meet the different needs of visitors. Some people drive off-road vehicles in the undulating sand dunes, with the engine roaring and making people's blood boil. More people choose to experience camel riding. The long camel caravans move slowly across the dunes. The clear sound of camel bells echoes in the desert, as if taking people back to the prosperous days of the ancient Silk Road.

Dou Tianlong said that the number of visitors to the Red Desert scenic area is increasing year by year, especially the number of self-driving tourists. Against this backdrop, it is timely to fully develop desert camping projects. More and more visitors choose to camp in the vast red sea of sand. They sleep under the starry sky at night and wake up to the magnificent desert sunrise in the morning, deeply experiencing the beauty of the desert day and night.

The Red Desert scenic area is being integrated with nearby attractions to form a cohesive tourist route. It has been included as a core node in Keping County's two-day and three-day tour recommendations and has become a must-visit place for tourists coming to Keping.

In future plans, the Red Desert scenic area will become even more exciting. The area around the visitor service center will be developed into a children's playground, where kids can have fun to their heart's content. In the heart of the Red Desert, facilities such as a lakeside catering service area, shaded sunbathing area, and beach sports field will be built. The scenic area is not only beautiful to look at but also fun to play in, offering visitors a rich and colorful travel experience.

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