Five-colored beach, a Yardang landform born from sunlight and thunder

Originating in the Altai Mountains in northern Xinjiang, the Irtysh River cuts Wucaitan (Five-Colored Beach) Park into two distinct parts. The northern bank has a multicolored Yardang landform featuring red, ocher, and light yellow and green sandstone and mud rocks, while the southern part boasts an oasis with lush vegetation and woods.

Dating back hundreds of millions of years, Wucaitan was formerly a large lake. After perennial erosion from rain, wind, thunderstorms and tectonic movements, the lake disappeared and thick coal seams emerged. The coal deposits eventually ignited from the lightning and sunlight, burning out completely and leaving behind bizarrely shaped sintered rock formations that form the unique landscape seen today. Comprising different mineral substances, the rock displays a rainbow of colors.

Apart from the stunning landscapes, Wucaitan also bears rich oil and mineral resources, such as gold, agate, quartz and iron.