Honestly, even playing Genshin Impact in 2026, there are still so many hidden nooks and crannies I haven't fully explored. The other day I was helping a buddy farm materials for his newly pulled character, and we stumbled back into the Desert of Hadramaveth. Yeah, I know, that region came out ages ago (all the way back in version 3.4, can you believe it?), but the goodies inside those domains never go out of style—especially if you're super low on Primogems and need a quick fix. One domain that seems to trip up a lot of players even now is the City of the Deceased. It's this eerie little mini-dungeon tucked away underground in the Wenut Tunnels, and if you haven't unlocked it yet, you're missing out on some sweet loot. Let me walk you through finding and activating it, no sweat.

So first off, the big headache for most folks is just finding the darn entrance. The Desert of Hadramaveth is massive, and half of it is buried beneath the dunes. Back when it launched, I remember running around like a headless chicken—well, a headless hilichurl maybe. The domain is part of the Qusayr Al-Inkhida area, and the easiest way to reach it is still to teleport to the Qusayr Al-Inkhida waypoint itself. From there, don't bother climbing; just yeet yourself off the cliff towards the northeast. Pop your wind glider and aim for that colossal fallen robot hand that's been lying there since the old civilization days. Once you land near the hand, drop down again to its base, and you'll spot a narrow passage burrowing right into the cliffside. That's your ticket down into the Wenut Tunnels.

Follow that tunnel for a bit. It’s pretty straightforward—just watch out for the Ruin Grader hanging out next to a petrified tree. He’s a bit of a grumpy greeter, but you can dash past him if you're not in the mood to scrap. Keep going and you'll eventually come to a wide-open underground chamber with a massive, sunken stone door. That’s the buried entrance to the City of the Deceased domain. Seeing it for the first time gave me major "Indiana Jones meets high fantasy" vibes, honestly.

But hold your horses, because the door is sealed tight. To raise it, you need to solve a quick torch puzzle. I love these little brain teasers—they're way more fun than just yeeting a key at a lock. There are four torches total that need to be lit, so dust off your best Pyro character (Yoimiya, Hu Tao, even Xiangling... just bring someone who can spark a flame).

Here's the layout: two torches sit on either side of the domain's dormant door, right at the same level. They’re pretty obvious. The other two are a bit sneakier—they're actually behind you as you face the door, sitting a little lower down on a ledge. It’s super easy to miss them if you just spin around without looking closely. I’ve seen so many players (and yep, yours truly included the first time) igniting the front two and standing there like, "...and now what?" So do a full 360 scan.

Once all four are blazing, a console in front of the door will light up. Interact with it, and the massive stone slab grinds upward with that satisfying ancient-tech rumble this game does so well. Boom, domain unlocked! Now you can head inside whenever you fancy.

So what's the payoff? Well, completing the challenge inside the City of the Deceased still gets you a neat bundle of rewards, specifically:

• 40 Primogems – the bread and butter of every F2P journey.

• 45,000 Mora – because building characters will always drain your wallet.

• Five Dendro Sigils – handy for leveling that Sumeru tree or fountain, whichever you're working on.

• One 4-star Desert Pavilion Chronicle Artifact – from the set that buffs Anemo damage, perfect for your Wanderer or Heizou.

• Two Guide to Praxis – talent books for a bunch of Sumeru characters; these never go out of style.

• Five Enhancement Ore and Three Hero's Wit – always welcome for weapon and character leveling.

Back in the day, this domain was literally a must-visit if you'd just pulled Alhaitham, because you'd need to snag those Sand Grease Pupa ascension materials on the way. Even now, in 2026, if you’re raising a newer dendro character or just hoarding resources for the next big update, swinging by the Desert of Hadramaveth is like visiting an old friend with a pocket full of gifts. The puzzles haven't changed, and the loot is just as shiny.

A quick heads-up for anyone feeling rusty: the desert’s underground maps can still be a maze if you haven't been down there in a while. Use the waypoint system wisely, and maybe bring a character with a movement buff—or even a treasure compass if you're planning to fully clear the area. I stumbled upon a couple of dendroculus just hanging around while pathing there, so it’s a win-win.

All in all, the City of the Deceased is one of those chill, low-effort domains that reminds me why I love this game. No frustrating time trials, no hyper-specific team comps, just a neat little torch puzzle and then a handful of gems for your trouble. So if you somehow skipped it back in 2023 or you're a newer Traveler who started playing after the hype cycle, go light those torches and grab your rewards. Your future wishing session will thank you.