At around 14:00 on the afternoon of January 5, 2009, a cluster of Qing Dynasty tombs was discovered at the foot of Flame Mountain in Shan Shan County, Turpan Prefecture, Xinjiang. After identification by researcher Luen Guo of the Xinjiang Archaeological Research Institute and protection personnel from the Turpan Prefecture Cultural Relics Bureau, the bodies were declared to be Qing Dynasty mummies.
The tomb cluster was discovered by construction workers who were working locally, leveling the ground and building shade houses, while they were digging the foundation. The local construction unit immediately notified the Shan Shan County Tourism and Cultural Relics Bureau after the discovery. The director of the cultural relics bureau and relevant staff immediately went to the scene and implemented protective measures.