Kumutage, in Uygur means mountain of sand, is the third largest desert in China, lies between Tushantuo Basin and Lop Nur, and east it reaches Hami Oasis, and west it connectes with Aiding Lake, occupying a total area of 2,500 square kilometers. Stand on top of sand mountain, you could watch the sun rising up from desert, and the setting with different and wonderful colors. The Poem is now reading your mind "Straight up is the smog in desert, round one is the setting sun on the river”.
The south edge of Kumutage is another rout, named “Dahaidao” of the ancient Silk Road in Tang Dynasty which connected Shazhou (now Dunhuang) and Xizhou (now Tulufan). Due to the dangerous and harsh condition of the rout and long distance, Dahaidao was called at Tang Dynasty “ road of evil”, and it was the most difficult and mysterious part in the Silk Road which also attract a lot of adventurers worldwide come to explore it.
Valleys
In the southwest part of the desert lie two large valleys with distinct landscapes. There are jagged rocks of grotesque shapes and several springs of clear and cool water. It is a miracle that so complete and spectacular valley landforms exist in the desert, which can not be found in other famous deserts in China.
Sand Therapy
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Kumutage Sand Therapy is an important part of Uygur medicine, which has a long history of thousand years. It is well-known for its convenience and good effect. It has good healing effect for several illnesses, such as rheumatism, cold, back pains, etc.
Sand Sculpture Festival
Every year, the international sand sculpture festival is held in Kumutage desert. The purpose of the festival is to explore and develop the Silk Road culture through sand sculpture. The exhibition area will display many kinds of sand sculpture of different shapes and styles. For sand sculpture artists, it has become a holy place now.