Jiuquan, Gansu Province

Echoes of a Forgotten Era: The Cinematic Desolation of Aksai Borozhuanjing Film Base

📸Photography 🚙Road Trip 🛤️Highland Aesthetics(高原美学)

Altitude

2,750m

Best Time

☀️ 🍂

Ticket

Paid

🏔️ High Altitude Notice

This location is at 2,750m elevation. Mild altitude sickness may occur. Stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity on your first day.

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About This Attraction

The Ghost Town of the Gobi

1.Located at the junction of: Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang provinces, the Aksai Borozhuanjing Film and Television Base—often referred to as the "Aksai Oil Town"—is a hauntingly beautiful monument to a vanished era. This site served as the original county seat of Aksai Kazakh Autonomous County from its establishment in 1954 until 1998. Perched at an altitude of approximately 2,800 meters at the foot of the Dangjin Mountains, the town was abruptly abandoned when the entire population was relocated to the lower-altitude New Liuqi Town due to high environmental radiation levels and a severe shortage of water.

A Post-Apocalyptic Masterpiece

Today, the ruins of Borozhuanjing offer a unique "wasteland" aesthetic that has made it a premier destination for film production and photography. The base gained national fame as the primary filming location for the blockbuster film Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe (九层妖塔), where its crumbling brick buildings and desolate streets provided the perfect post-apocalyptic backdrop. Walking through the town, visitors find themselves in a surreal space that blurs the line between a historical relic and a cinematic set, capturing a sense of "wasteland wanderlust" that is rare in modern China.

Preserving the Artifacts of Daily Life

Unlike many ancient ruins, Borozhuanjing is a "living" museum of mid-to-late 20th-century urban life. The base preserves the structural skeletons of a complete town, including the former county government headquarters, hospitals, schools, and residential compounds. Iconic installations created for films, such as the famous bus half-buried in the ground and various sci-fi creature sculptures, are integrated into the existing ruins, enhancing the site's mysterious and eerie atmosphere.

Atmosphere and Aesthetic Appeal

The site is most striking during the "golden hours" of sunrise and sunset, when the harsh Gobi sunlight casts long shadows across the red-brick ruins and the surrounding desert landscape. The contrast between the silent, decaying structures and the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Dangjin Mountains creates a dramatic visual dialogue. It remains an essential stop for those embarking on a road trip through the Gansu-Qinghai loop, offering a profound reflection on human history, industrial survival, and the reclaiming power of nature.

✨ Why Visit Boluo Zhuanjing Film Base

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Cinematic Wasteland Aesthetic

Walk through the real-life sets of major films like Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe and experience the haunting "Oil Town" atmosphere.

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The Buried Bus

Capture photos of the most iconic landmark in the base—a bus tilted and partially swallowed by the desert sands.

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A Time Capsule of the 1950s-90s

Explore the abandoned shells of government offices, schools, and homes that tell the story of a relocated community.

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Spectacular Gobi Landscape

Enjoy the dramatic scenery where abandoned human architecture meets the rugged beauty of the Dangjin Mountains and the vast Gobi desert.

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Photographer’s Paradise

Utilize the unique light and desolation of the ruins to create high-concept, atmospheric photography.

Location & Nearby

📍 Jiuquan, Gansu Province • 🏔️ 2750m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Boluo Zhuanjing Film Base Travel Guide

Where is the Aksai Borozhuanjing Film Base located?

It is located in Aksai Kazakh Autonomous County, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, at the northern foot of the Dangjin Mountains.

Why was the original town abandoned?

The town was abandoned in 1998 due to high radiation levels in the environment and a lack of reliable water sources.

What is the most famous movie filmed here?

The base is best known as the setting for the movie Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe (九层妖塔).

Is there an altitude concern when visiting?

The base sits at an altitude of approximately 2,800 meters, which is relatively high; visitors should be prepared for thinner air and strong UV rays.

What is the best time of day for photography?

The "golden hours"—early morning or late afternoon near sunset—provide the best light to highlight the textures of the ruins.

Why do you include Chinese characters and Pinyin in the descriptions for Boluo Zhuanjing Film Base?

We provide the original Chinese names and Pinyin to make your travel smoother. Since English is rarely spoken in remote parts of Western China, you can easily show these Chinese names to local taxi drivers, hotel staff, or police when asking for help, or copy-paste them directly into Chinese navigation apps like Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps.