Alashanmeng

Alxa League has vast deserts, vividly colored salt lakes, and a deep historical and cultural heritage, making it a truly adventurous, photogenic hidden gem for travel in northwest China. Here is a classic 3-day, 2-night itinerary and practical guide to help you explore the desert with ease.

• Tengger Desert Five Lakes Crossing: The essence of Alxa. Ride in a rugged off-road vehicle through the sea of sand, checking in at five desert lakes in different colors, including Ulan Lake (the Heart of the Earth) and Swan Lake, while experiencing thrilling desert off-roading.

• Western Dream Grand Canyon: A landscape where Danxia and Yardang landforms intertwine. At sunset, the canyon turns orange-red, like the surface of Mars. It is truly impressive and ideal for photography.

• Guangzong Temple in the Helan Mountains (South Temple): A sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism, built against the mountainside with a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. You can hike here for fresh mountain air, spot bharal along the way, and feel the blend of nature and faith.

• Dingyuanying Ancient City: Known as the “Little Beijing Beyond the Great Wall,” this ancient city preserves Qing-dynasty princely residence architecture. Its gray brick and tile buildings, paired with Mongolian-style elements, are open to visitors for free and are perfect for an evening stroll and photos.

• Tengger Moon Lake: A freshwater oasis deep in the desert, with clear lake water surrounded by golden sand. The scenic area offers a wide range of activities, including camel riding and sand sliding, making it suitable for a relaxed family trip.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Alxa Left Banner (Bayanhot Town) → Visit Dingyuanying Ancient City and Yanfu Temple in the afternoon → Try hand-grabbed lamb in the evening and stay in town.
• Day 2: Head to the Tengger Desert Five Lakes Crossing in the morning (about 3-4 hours) → Return in the afternoon or go to a desert camp → Experience stargazing camping and a bonfire party in the evening.
• Day 3: Visit Guangzong Temple in the Helan Mountains in the morning → Go to Western Dream Grand Canyon in the afternoon to watch the sunset → Return home or continue on to Yinchuan.

Transportation and Travel Tips

The attractions in Alxa League are spread out, and there is no public transport in the desert areas, so self-driving or chartering a car is the best option.

• Long-distance transport: You can first fly to Yinchuan Hedong Airport, then rent a car or charter a vehicle to Alxa Left Banner (about 2 hours by car).
• Local transport: For short trips in town, you can use shared electric bikes. To enter the desert, you must charter a rugged off-road vehicle (such as a Tank 300). Do not drive a two-wheel-drive private car or sedan deep into the desert hinterland, as it is very easy to get stuck and there is no signal. A shared ride for the Five Lakes Crossing costs about 380 yuan per person, while chartering a whole vehicle costs about 1,000-1,400 yuan per day.

Food and Accommodation Guide

For accommodation, it is recommended to stay the first night in Bayanhot Town (such as Alxa Hotel or City Garden Hotel), where facilities are complete and dining is convenient. For the second night, if you want to experience the starry sky, you can choose a Tengger Desert camp (such as Tent Hotel No. 7 or a Mongolian yurt at Tonghu Grassland), but be sure to book in advance.

Pitfalls and Precautions

• Sun and wind protection: The UV rays in the desert are extremely strong, so be sure to prepare high-SPF sunscreen, windproof sunglasses, a multifunctional headscarf, and sandproof shoe covers.
• Motion sickness preparation: The “desert roller coaster” section of the Five Lakes Crossing is very bumpy. Even if you do not usually get motion sickness, it is recommended to take motion sickness medicine half an hour in advance.
• Temperature difference and clothing: The temperature difference between day and night can reach 20°C. Even in summer, bring a hardshell jacket or light coat. For photos, white, black, or highly saturated clothing is recommended to avoid blending into the desert colors.
• Poplar forest season: If you plan to visit Ejina Banner to see the poplar forest, the best viewing period is only from late September to mid-October. In August, the trees are still green, so making a special trip there may be disappointing.