Alxa Travel Guide

The Badain Jaran Desert is China's third-largest desert and one of the world's most extraordinary desert landscapes. Its most remarkable feature is the tallest stationary sand dunes on Earth, with some exceeding 500 meters in height. Between these giant dunes lie over 100 lakes, ranging from freshwater to hypersaline, creating a surreal scene of blue water surrounded by golden sand. The desert is also famous for its "singing sand" phenomenon — when sand slides down the dunes, it produces a low, resonant hum that can be heard from kilometers away.

The Alxa Desert Geopark is a UNESCO Global Geopark that encompasses the unique desert, gobi, and sandstone landscapes of the Alxa region. The park is divided into several scenic areas, including the Badain Jaran Desert, Tengger Desert, and the Heishan Rock Art area. The geological diversity is extraordinary — from towering sand dunes to stark gobi plains, from colorful sandstone formations to ancient petroglyphs.

Heicheng, meaning "Black City," is the ruins of an ancient Tangut and Mongol citadel located in the desert of western Alxa. Founded in the 11th century during the Western Xia (Tangut) Dynasty, the city later fell to the Mongols and was a key stop on the Silk Road. The city was abandoned in the 14th century and gradually buried by the encroaching desert. Today, its crumbling walls, pagodas, and ancient streets rise from the sand, creating one of China's most atmospheric archaeological sites.

The Ejina Poplar Forest is one of the most famous autumn destinations in China. Tens of thousands of poplar trees (Populus euphratica), known for their ability to survive in extreme desert conditions, line the banks of the Heihe River. In late autumn (October), the leaves turn a brilliant golden yellow, creating a breathtaking contrast against the blue sky and golden sand. The forest is at its most spectacular for only about two weeks each year.

Moon Lake is a crescent-shaped lake in the Tengger Desert, one of the many beautiful desert lakes in the Alxa region. Surrounded by towering sand dunes, the lake's clear blue waters create a striking desert oasis. Visitors can ride camels across the dunes, take desert jeep safaris, and stay in eco-friendly desert resorts. The lake is particularly beautiful at sunset when the golden sand reflects in the calm waters.

The Alxa region contains thousands of ancient rock carvings, particularly concentrated in the Heishan (Black Mountain) area. These petroglyphs, created over millennia by nomadic peoples, depict camels, horses, hunting scenes, and mystical symbols. The carvings are remarkably well-preserved due to the arid climate and provide valuable insights into the spiritual life of ancient desert peoples.