Tengger Desert Travel Guide

The Tengger Desert Wetland Tourist Area blends the delicate scenery of regions south of the Yangtze River and the rugged landscapes of northern frontier areas, making it a unique resort in Northwest China. As an oasis post station along the ancient Silk Road, it showcases frontier culture, desert culture, military garrison culture and the culture of the Great Wall. Integrating ecological sightseeing, hot spring resorts and aquaculture, it is known as the Eden in the Desert.

Though not the largest desert in China, the Tengger Desert features magnificent sand peaks. Its fine, soft and golden sand grains create a distinctive landscape. Travel deep into the desert, and you will encounter a series of marvelous frontier views beyond the endless golden dunes.

Numerous lakes scatter across the hinterland of the Tengger Desert. From a distance, salt mounds beside the lakes look like ice and snow, while the shimmering water surfaces resemble glaciers amid the sea of sand. Gaodun Lake, a highland desert lake covering 30 hectares, is home to carp and over 30 species of water birds including wild ducks and swans. On the flat grasslands, flocks of cattle, sheep and wandering camels can be seen everywhere.

From April to November every year, large flocks of migratory birds migrate here and dwell on the vast waters. Visitors can enjoy picturesque natural scenes: warblers flying, herons taking off, eagles crying and fish leaping, together with fragrant wild flowers growing along the lakeshore.

Fifteen species of pollution-free fish live in the lakes, mainly including carp, grass carp, crucian carp, silver carp, catfish and perch. Bighead carp swim in the upper and middle layers of the water, feeding on plankton all year round. The largest individuals can weigh up to 10 kilograms and measure over one meter long. Their flesh is as white as jade, tender and savory.

The lake area inhabits more than 700,000 rare migratory birds of 136 species. Among them, the black stork, whooper swan and golden eagle are national Class I and Class II protected animals. Thirty-eight species such as purple heron, great egret and northern rosefinch are listed under the Sino-Japanese Migratory Bird Protection Agreement.

Take the shuttle bus to Shapotou at the minibus station opposite Zhongwei Bus Station. The fare is 3.5 yuan. Buses depart every half an hour, and the journey takes about 1.5 hours.