The “Journey to the West” by Ngô Thừa Ân is a classic literary masterpiece that has become familiar to almost all audiences across Asia, especially those from the 80s and 90s generations. The popularity of the 1986 television adaptation with the same title has further contributed to the widespread recognition of “Journey to the West”.
On the arduous journey to the Western Heaven to attain enlightenment, the monk Tang and his companions faced numerous challenges, with one of the most significant being the Fiery Mountain. The tale of Fiery Mountain in “Journey to the West” is linked to the legendary figure of Tôn Ngộ Không. When the Tang monk and his disciples encountered the fiery obstacle created by the magical forces of the Bull Demon King and managed to escape, they were not entirely unharmed, as they still had to face the fiery mountain lurking ahead. The aftermath of this event led to the fiery mountain being set ablaze, forming a chain of burning hills.
The description of Fiery Mountain in the work emphasizes its terrifying heat, making the surroundings seem uninhabitable. The Tang monk and his disciples found no choice but to overcome this obstacle to complete their mission. However, extinguishing the flames of Fiery Mountain proved to be difficult as the only tool capable of doing so – the three-pronged spear – was held by the princess of the Heavenly Palace, who refused to assist due to her grudge against Tôn Ngộ Không.
Long-time fans of “Journey to the West” might wonder: Is there a real Fiery Mountain outside of fiction? The answer is yes.
Fiery Mountain, also known as Huǒ Diàn Shān, is mentioned in the original text, located in the Tian Shan mountain range in Xinjiang, China, near the Taklamakan Desert and east of the Turpan Basin. This mountain range is part of an ancient trade route. The mountains stretch approximately 100 km and are between 5 to 10 km wide, with an average elevation of about 500 m and some peaks exceeding 800 m. The climate here is extremely harsh. In summer, it is the hottest place in China, with temperatures soaring to 50°C, and ground temperatures exceeding 70°C.
Local residents refer to Fiery Mountain as “Kiziltag,” which means “Red Mountain.” This mountain is a barren desert area, with gentle slopes and has been eroded by the wind over the months, creating stunning rock formations that resemble flames on the mountains.
Fiery Mountain is indeed a source of many natural fires from coal seams, burning for hundreds of years until the Chinese government began extinguishing them in 1983. After 12 years and many attempts to introduce oxygen, over 40 fire zones have been extinguished.
Today, Fiery Mountain has become a famous tourist destination and was recognized by China as a national tourist site in 2011. This area includes two main attractions: a section beneath the earth’s surface and one above ground, featuring stunning sculptures that replicate scenes from “Journey to the West.”
Source: Sohu
