Along the China Silk Road, there are various natural landscapes, which attract tourists from all over the country. The desert scenery tour is one of the best China Silk Road tours. The desert scenic areas are renowned for their rolling sand dunes, unique landforms and magnificent sunset views. During your China Silk Road tours, you can explore these charming deserts and experience various desert leisure activities.
Mingsha Mountain
Located 7 km south of Dunhuang city, Mingsha Mountain is one of the four major sand mountains in China. It is also known as Echoing Sand Mountain or Singing Sand Mountain. Mingsha Mountain is named after the sound made by the shifting sand. This phenomenon occurs due to the vibrations generated by the friction and collision of sliding sand grains. The scenic area features a sandboarding site. You can sit on a board and slide down the sand dunes, hearing the sand sing beneath you.
Walk on the desert trail and enjoy the magnificent scenery formed by the rolling sand dunes and the blue sky. Also sit on the sand dunes to enjoy the desert sunset at Singing Sand Mountain. When the golden sunlight falls on the vast desert, the curves of the sand dunes become softer. There is also a Crescent Spring in the scenic spot where you can enjoy a splendid sunset view. At night, most people like to camp in the desert park. You can capture the charming scene of the starry sky of the desert.
Akesai Desert Park
If you want to explore distinctive desert landscapes during your China group tours, Akesai Desert Park is an excellent destination. Akesai Desert Park is located at the southern edge of the Kumtag Desert. The desert here features typical Yadan landforms, including grid-pattern, crescent-shaped, and linear dune types. The sunset views here draw countless photography lovers. At dusk, the sand dunes transform into an endless golden sea of sand.
Akesai Desert Park offers a variety of desert experiences. You can participate in desert off-roading for an exciting adventure. Or hike through the desert to admire the vibrant dunes intertwined with the evening glow. Besides, the desert park boasts many ecological resources, including vast desert vegetation and numerous wildlife species. Under the light of the sun, you can enjoy the magnificent sunset view formed by the poplar forest and the rolling sand dunes.
Jinta Desert
The Jinta Desert, situated on the northern edge of the Hexi Corridor, presents a classic desert oasis landscape. Upon entering the scenic area, you will see endless golden sand dunes. At sunset, the Jinta Desert displays a different landscape. Golden sunlight shines upon the sand dunes, forming a breathtaking scene with the fiery red sky. Standing atop the sand dunes, you will marvel at this shimmering sea of sand.
At the Jinta Desert, the lush poplar forests is one of the core landscapes. Towering poplar trees create the desert oasis scenery here. Walking through the forest, you can take pictures of poplar trees in all shapes and forms. At sunset, the sunlight renders the green poplar leaves golden. In addition, you can also participate in a variety of activities at the spot. For example, ride camels across sand dunes to admire the beautiful sunset and immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere.
Zhangye National Desert Sports Park
Zhangye National Desert Sports Park is famous for its wide range of desert outdoor activities. While enjoying the desert scenery, you can also experience fun activities. In the park, the first thing you see is a stretch of golden sand dunes. On the eastern side of the desert scenic area lies the Gobi landscape corridor, while the western side features the oasis landscape corridor. Wander through the scenic area, you can explore various desert landscapes.
A variety of activities await you at the desert park. You can ride a skateboard down from the top of the sand dunes. Or race across the dunes in an vehicle for an thrilling experience. Also ride a camel through the desert to experience the life of caravans on the ancient Silk Road. At sunset, you can leisurely enjoy the captivating scenery at the outdoor desert camping area. You will have the opportunity to capture the sunset painting the desert in red hues.
Kumtag Desert
Kumtag Desert is located on the eastern edge of the Turpan Basin in Xinjiang. The desert is the closest desert to a town in the world. Kumtag Desert is a great place to explore the magical desert scenery during your Xinjiang tours. Standing atop the sand dunes, you can see the bustling town nestled right next to the vast sea of sand.
At dusk, the setting sun makes the desert even more enchanting. Golden desert, bustling downtown, and fiery sunset compose a urban desert landscape. As you continue along the desert trail, you will also discover the Thousand Springs Sand Lake. Here admire the shimmering lake surface under the setting sun. Also observe exquisite sand sculptures showcasing history and civilization in the sand sculpture area. At night, you can gather around the campfire with other travelers to enjoy the starry sky and savor local delicacies.
Karsu Desert Park
Karsu Desert Park is located on the western edge of the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang. Karsu Desert Park maintains the pristine natural landscape of the Taklamakan Desert. The scenic area boasts breathtaking landscapes, including vast desert and rich plants. Here poplar forests and tamarisk vegetation add captivating scenery to the desert landscape.
At sunset, the brilliant evening sun transforms the desert into a picturesque scene. Due to the desert’s distinctive effects of light and shadow, you have the opportunity to witness the magical spectacle of a mirage. At this time, you can also try out some fun activities. For example, you can experience a unique sand therapy, which means burying your body in soft sand to relax. Seven kilometers from the scenic area visitor center lies an ancient village. In the village, explore ethnic minority architecture and learn about the traditional customs of the Uyghur people.
Mutetar Desert
The Mutetar Desert is the largest shifting desert in the Junggar Basin. The sand here displays different colors as the light changes. The desert is surrounded by the Ganjiahu Saxaul Forest and the Aibi Lake Wetlands, forming a desert-wetland landscape. Hikers can traverse the desert from the Aibi Lake Wetlands to enter the Ganji Lake Saxaul Forest. In autumn, you can admire the magnificent scenery formed by golden poplar forests and the desert.
The Desert Kite Festival is another signature event here. You can fly colorful kites across the vast desert. You can drive a desert off-road vehicle through endless sand dunes and watch the sunset glow. For adventurers, extreme off-roading is also an exiting activity. Professional drivers take you on thrilling rides up steep sand dunes or down 80-degree sand slopes. In addition, choose to spend the night in a desert cabin. As night falls, you can observe the enchanting sight of the red evening glow spreading across the desert.
Summary
Desert landscapes are popular as unique natural scenery along China Silk Road journey. These desert destinations will take you to admire majestic sand dunes and beautiful desert oases. Also capture mesmerizing desert sunsets and experience various desert activities.