Mount Red (also called Red Hill or Tiger Head Hill) gets its name from its reddish brown color. The mountain spans 1.5 kilometers long from east to west at an altitude of 910 meters and a relative height of 400 meters. Its purple sandstone was formed in the Pangaea continental environment 250 million years ago.
In the past, the Urumqi River separated Mount Red and its neighboring hill, Mount Yamalike. However, it has since dried up and been turned into a river beach road. Mount Red now stands at the north bank of the Yamalike River, while Mount Yamalike borders the south.
According to ancient legend, long ago a red dragon ran away from the Heaven pool of Mount Bogeda (a mountain in the Tianshan range of Xinjiang). It was caught by the Holy Mother and cut into two pieces. Two mountains were formed from the severing of the dragon. The one in the west was called Mount Yamalike, the one in the east, Mount Red. The Urumqi River was considered to be the Holy Mother's sword, dividing the dragons eternally. The legend itself is rooted in fact. According to aerial landform photos, Mount Red and Mount Yamalike were at one time a single mountain. Due to stratum rupture, it was divided up into two mountains and the Urumqi was formed.
If you look east from the peak of Mount Red, you can see a stone hill stretching west from Mount Bogeda to the dried up Urumqi River. The base of the hill is broken suddenly at the dry river basin, while its tip stands tall and upright like a dragon. In this area, from Mount Red, to the stone hills and marvels along the once gushing Urumqi, to the glorious peak of Mount Bogeda, one can see a land steeped in history, legend, and natural beauty. Due to Mount Red's legends and physical attributes, it is considered to be a holy place and is worshipped by the local people. It is regarded as a place to offer sacrifices to Mount Bogeda.
The local people have worked hard to restore and continue upkeep on Mount Red and its natural setting. To add to the natural attraction, trees and gardens have been planted throughout the area while monuments have been erected to celebrate its history. One such monument, the Dragon-suppression Pagoda, was built atop Mount Red to signify the legend of the Holy Mother and the creation of the hill. The pagoda stands 26 feet high and consists of nine layers. Around the pagoda the inhabitants have planted and maintained a garden called the Mount Red Garden. Inside the garden, there are pavilions and temples. Once atop Mount Red, one can enjoy the Urumqi panorama. It is the best place to enjoy the scenery of this border town.