Flaming Mountain is at the north fringe of the Turpan Basin. It was called Red Rock Mountain for the dark red sandstone dominating the area. Many years of volcanic activity have formed the unique crisscrossing gullies and ravines. During mid-afternoon the heat becomes intense as the sun's rays are reflected off the red rocks, as though the hillsides are engulfed by tongues of fire, hence the name.

The mountain stretches across the Turpan Basin from east to north measuring 98 kilometers long, 9 kilometers wide. It located at an altitude of around 500 meters with the highest point of 821 meters close to Tuyugou.