Premium Route No.5 of Alxa Left Banner

Wispy smoke curling above the boundless desert, the sun sinking round over endless rivers; slumbering ancient history, soaring celestial dreams. Alxa, how many magical tales do you hold...

Alxa, a hidden wonderland of China, stretches across a vast territory of 270,000 square kilometres. Some call it a forbidden zone for life; others hail it as the last untouched virgin land for tourism in China. Whether you sing praises of the desert poplars or lament sandstorms, whether you linger over ancient history or reflect on the present, Alxa is destined to become a top tourist resort beloved nationwide and across the globe...

Wuhai (Yinchuan) — Aolunbulage (Western Dream Canyon) — Dalaihubu Town, Ejina Banner (Khara Khoto Ruins, Strange Poplar Grove, Populus Euphratica Forest) — Dongfeng Space City (Launch Towers, Aerospace Centre, Martyrs Cemetery) — Ekenhuduge Town, Alxa Right Banner (Badain Jaran Desert Adventure, Mandela Mountain Rock Paintings) — Bayanhot (Yanfu Temple, Rare Stone Street, Guangzong Temple, Moon Lake)

Meet the group in Wuhai (Yinchuan), then take a coach to Western Dream Canyon in Aolunbulage. Admire the colourful sacred mountain ranges, Camel Peak, Phallus Peak, Baihongta Temple and Bule Temple, and fully appreciate the spectacular Danxia landform geological wonders unique to Alxa. Overnight: Aolunbulage Town

Drive hundreds of kilometres along the China-Mongolia border, crossing a 300-li uninhabited zone en route to Ejina. Pay homage to Khara Khoto Ruins and the Strange Poplar Grove bathed in sunset glow. Overnight: Dalaihubu Town

Visit the Sacred Poplar Tree, Juyan Lake and Ceke Port; take free time for photography and sightseeing in the poplar forest. Overnight: Dalaihubu Town

After breakfast, head for Dongfeng Space City to tour the launch towers, aerospace centre and Martyrs Cemetery. Afterwards travel to Ekenhuduge in Alxa Right Banner. Overnight: Ekenhuduge

Rest and recuperate in the morning. In the afternoon, drive to the fringe of Badain Jaran Desert and board dedicated desert adventure jeeps for Badain Lake, the first stop of Badain Jaran Desert exploration. Overnight: Badain Lake

Ride special desert vehicles to Temple Lake and Badain Jaran Temple, then visit Bilutu Peak, the world’s tallest sand mountain, and the Divine Spring. Reach Nuoertu Lake, the largest lake in Badain Jaran, by evening. Overnight: Nuoertu Lake

After breakfast at Nuoertu Lake, depart for Mandela Mountain Rock Paintings, known as an ancient art gallery of Northwest China. View over 4,300 vivid rock paintings depicting the lives and spiritual worlds of ancient nomadic tribes. Afterwards proceed to Bayanhot, the capital of Alxa League, to visit Yanfu Temple and Rare Stone Street. Overnight: Bayanhot

Take a coach to Guangzong Temple (South Temple, 4A-level) at Helan Mountain after breakfast. Pay respects to the spirit pagoda of the 6th Dalai Lama, the Yellow Temple, Red Temple and Thousand-Buddha Hall, and wander through the primeval Helan Mountain forest. Enjoy lunch in the Mongolian yurts of the Oirat Nomadic Camp. In the afternoon, travel to Tengger Dalai Moon Lake Desert Adventure Camp (4A-level). Experience 15 kilometres of thrilling sand surfing in dedicated desert vehicles, and opt for self-paid activities including horse riding, camel riding, go-karting and sand sliding. Roast whole lamb or lamb back feast can be arranged for dinner, followed by a grand bonfire party. Overnight: Moon Lake

Board a coach bound for Foyin Temple (North Temple, 3A-level) at Helan Mountain after breakfast. In the afternoon, visit Wurste Grassland Cultural Tourism Zone (3A-level) to watch horse racing and camel racing, and tour the golden-top grand yurt. Overnight: Bayanhot

Take a coach back to Yinchuan (Wuhai) for group dismissal