Alxa travel guide
阿拉善
Alxa League has vast deserts, so the first impression of visiting is of entering a world of sand, especially when the wind is strong and you feel like a speck of floating dust. Even so,…
14 places · In the guidebook: pages 1911–1922
Alxa, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region · AI illustration for China Trip
Quick itinerary
Alxa in 6 days
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Tonghu Grassland→
- South Temple→
- North Temple→
- Alxa League
- Day 1
- Alxa League→
- Mandula Mountain Petroglyphs→
- Badain Jaran Desert
- Day 2
- Badain Jaran Desert→
- Khara-Khoto Ruins→
- Strange Tree Forest→
- Ejin Banner
- Day 3
- Ejin Banner→
- Populus Euphratica Scenic Area→
- Badao Bridge→
- Sacred Tree→
- Juyan Lake
The feel of the place
- Desert Scenery
- Alxa League has vast deserts, so the first impression of visiting is of entering a world of sand, especially when the wind is strong and you feel like a speck of floating dust. Even so, the magnificent scenery of Alxa is captivating. The striking contrast between the visual splendour of the great desert and its harsh natural conditions leaves visitors with a deep impression.
Alxa Taboos
Alxa Mongolian customs include many taboos. For example, do not bring whips, ropes or wooden sticks into a ger; do not throw rubbish, pour water or spit into the fire; do not step over fire, pot lids or basins; if there is fire in front of a door or a red cloth is tied to the door, it signals a sick person or new mother inside, and you should not enter; do not eat meat from animals that died naturally, such as donkey, horse or dog meat; for three days after the Stove Sacrifice, do not borrow from or lend things to others; when toasting guests, do not go without a hat or outer garment; do not relieve yourself where livestock are tethered; and do not dump rubbish or dust. Travellers should follow local customs and respect the ethnic traditions of the area.
Administrative Divisions of Alxa League
Alxa League administers three banners: Left Alxa Banner, Right Alxa Banner and Ejin Banner.
Preparation and Information
Language
Alxa League is home to 17 ethnic groups, including Mongol, Han and Hui, and Chinese is very widely spoken. Except in remote pastoral areas, language should not be a barrier during your trip.
Climate and Best Travel Season
Alxa has a typical temperate continental climate, with strong winds, plenty of sand, little rain and abundant sunshine. The best seasons to visit are spring and autumn, when festivals include the Ejin Populus Euphratica Festival in October, the “Camel Country” Naadam Festival, and the Wuhai Grape Festival.
Things to see
1. China–Mongolia Border Tour: visit the Sacred Tree, Baori Obo, Juyan Lake and Ceke Port.
Tengger Desert
3–4 hours
China's fourth-largest desert. "Tengger" means "sky" in Mongolian. The desert contains more than 400 lake basins and over 190 lakes. Swan Lake and Moon Lake, about 35 km apart in the heart of the desert, one large and one small, are Tengger's most outstanding pair of "sister lakes."
Badain Jaran Desert
1–2 days · Free admission to the scenic area; Badain Lake ticket ¥65; Badain Jaran Desert Geopark ticket ¥220
The desert covers 47,000 square kilometres, and about 10,000 square kilometres in its northwest remain untouched by human footprints. Its elevation ranges from 1,200 to 1,700 metres, and dunes rise more than 500 metres above the surrounding terrain, earning it the nickname 'the Everest of deserts'. The Badain Jaran Desert combines the splendour of the desert with towering, steep and dramatic dunes. Its 'Five Wonders' are its peaks, singing sands, lakes, sacred springs and ancient temples.
Divine Tree of the Populus Euphratica Forest
This populus euphratica tree is 880 years old, stands 23 metres tall, and has a main trunk 2.07 metres in diameter, so it takes six people holding hands to encircle it. It is the 'King of the Ejina poplars'. At the end of winter and the start of spring, herders come to pay their respects before this tree, and visitors touring the poplar forest make a point of coming to see its grandeur.
0.5–1 hour · ¥10
Moon Lake
Located in a valley at the bottom of the Tengger Desert, this is China's desert adventure camp closest to a city. Here you can experience sand surfing, desert hiking, desert swimming and other distinctive activities. Moon Lake is shaped like a map of China, and its water is rich in minerals, said to have natural bathing benefits. The lake has a natural black sand beach over a kilometre long and several hundred metres wide, with good mud therapy effects.
3–4 hours · ¥100
Swan Lake
Located 12 km southwest of Tonggunaoer Sumu in the Left Banner of Alxa, the lake covers 3.2 square kilometres. Surrounded by vast desert, with rolling dunes and surging sand waves, the scene is quite spectacular. Every year in March–April and September–October, large numbers of migratory birds, including white swans and wild ducks, stop here.
3–4 hours · Entrance ¥35; combo packages including other activities ¥50–250
Tonghu Grassland
In the lake area, reeds sway and wild birds play; in the grassland area, you can ride horses and hike to experience grassland culture; in the desert area, dunes encircle you and camel rides take you deep into the desert's heart. There are also shrub forests, artificial oases, the vast sand-control project, the mysterious Qingxi River springs, sand surfing and other adventure activities, and warm bonfire parties. In this one place, you can enjoy all of the landscapes and special activities described above. What more could you ask for?
4–5 hours
Ejina Desert Populus Euphratica Forest
Located 20 km east of Dalaihubu Town, this site combines the edge of the Badain Jaran Desert with a populus euphratica forest. The desert, the poplars, camel caravans and the setting sun make it a paradise for photographers.
1–2 days
Strange Tree Forest
Located about 20 km south of Dalaihubu Town, this area was primeval forest several decades ago. Due to water shortages and other natural causes, large numbers of poplars died. Today the dead trunks lie at every angle in varied shapes, which locals call the Strange Tree Forest. It is a 'treasure hunt' destination beloved by photography enthusiasts.
1–2 hours · Combined ticket ¥120 (covers the Strange Tree Forest, Heishui Ancient City, Datong City and Red City scenic areas)
Heishui Ancient City (Khara-Khoto)
Heishui Ancient City, also known as Khara-Khoto, was already famous in the Western Xia and Yuan dynasties. It is one of the best-preserved ancient city ruins along the Silk Road and has long been favoured by historians and archaeologists. Marco Polo is said to have followed this route into the 'Oriental paradise', and numerous legends add an air of mystery to the site. From more than ten li (about 5 km) away, the white pagoda rising above the city walls is visible and looks like a scene from a fairyland.
2–3 hours
Juyan Lake
Juyan Lake, once a vast body of water, has dried up several times and has now partly recovered. Whether you look at the restored water or the barren land still covered by salt-alkali deposits and yellow sand, it is impossible not to reflect deeply.
1–2 days · ¥60; sightseeing shuttle ¥15
Alxa Museum
Originally the residence of the Alxa Prince, construction began in 1732. It served as the administrative office and residence of successive Alxa princes. Repeatedly expanded over the centuries, the entire complex shows typical Qing-dynasty style, earning it the nickname "Little Beijing."
1–2 hours · Free
Guangzong Temple (South Temple)
The largest temple in Alxa. Tibetan Buddhist culture combined with the natural scenery of the Helan Mountains creates a strong and profound Buddhist atmosphere worth experiencing.
3–5 hours · ¥80
Fuyin Temple (North Temple)
Fuyin Temple is surrounded by undulating hills, with evergreen pines and cypresses and enchanting springs. Beyond its natural setting, the temple is closely tied to Awang Dander, an influential figure in Alxa, who passed away here at the age of 82. His memorial stupa still stands today.
1–2 hours
Western Dreamland Canyon
This site blends yardang and Danxia landforms, bearing witness to a million years of geological change. The scenery is dominated by desert and Gobi. Its mountains show red, yellow, grey and white hues, and at sunset they take on a dreamlike glow, shimmering like a rainbow-coloured hada scarf wrapped around them.
3–4 hours · ¥60
Getting there & around
Railway
Alxa has Ejin Railway Station, which runs one train a day to Hohhot.
Road
Long-distance coach services are the main way to reach and leave Alxa. From Jiuquan Railway Station, buses to Ejin Banner depart daily at 8:30 and 11:00, taking about 6 hours. From Yinchuan Railway Station there are coaches to Left Alxa Banner; from Left Alxa Banner, three buses depart daily between 8:00 and 9:00 for Ejin Banner, a journey of about 9 hours.
Where to stay
Accommodation during the Ejin Populus Euphratica Festival (3–7 October) is relatively expensive. There are also more affordable guesthouses to choose from. If you plan to spend a night in the desert, you can stay in your guide's home or pitch a tent outdoors.
Ejin Banner Liya Business Hotel
Ejin Banner Liya Business Hotel- Address:
- Junmin East Street, Dalai Hobot Town, Ejin Banner
- Phone:
- 0483-6969888
Juxian Zhuang
Ejin Banner Liya Business HotelRooms are clean, and options are available across several price levels, with considerable room for bargaining.
- Address:
- East of Juyan Road, opposite the police station
- Phone:
- 0483-6524902
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 1911–1922. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version