In 627 A.D. Monk Xuanzhuang on his way to India to acquire the Buddhist scriptures passed through the Flaming Mountains after he left the Nation of Gaochang. The story as we know it is more fancifully embellished in the classic novel Journey to the West with demons and monsters craving for Xuanzhuang's flesh. It is most likely that Xuanzhuang passed through the valley shown below, being a major passage way along the Silk Road. Above the valley are the reflecting cliff of the Flaming Mountains.
Directly above the valley, on the opposite side of the cliffs, I believe, is the ancient city of Gaochang, although I am not absolutely sure now. It is being referred to as the Gaochang Ruins.
