In the middle of Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, a hill sticks out of the ground that seems out of place. Legend says that both this hill and the nearby Yamalik Hill were two dragons that kept watch over the city.  Even now it serves as a symbol of a city that doesn’t have much else to offer.

The pagoda on top of this hill is said to have been erected in 1788 and the Grand Buddhist temple in 1797.  Today visitors can climb to the top of this hill for a panoramic view of Urumqi (see an example of this view) or just to get some exercise.

Here, for the first time, watch as this barren hill becomes a tourist destination in this progression of photographs.

A small river runs along the hill which has absolutely no trees or paved walkways.

Roads are still non-existent around the hill and the idea of a part is still decades away.

1983

By 1958 the Red Army had begun to build the hill into a park by planting trees, paving walkways, and adding more buildings.

The small paved road has been turned into a major highway and the park is now home to over 30,000 trees.  The pagoda on Hong Shan park is now one of the most recognizable symbols of Urumqi.