Lop Nur
This is an endless expanse of desert, where a silence devoid of any sign of life prevails. Many Chinese and foreign explorers have come here to investigate.…
Lop Nur, Bayingolin
Key facts
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Getting there
- Take a bus from Korla to Ruoqiang, then charter a vehicle to Lop Nur.
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 878. Open in Google Maps
About Lop Nur
This is an endless expanse of desert, where a silence devoid of any sign of life prevails. Many Chinese and foreign explorers have come here to investigate. Known as Asia's mysterious “Devil's Triangle,” it has claimed many lives, yet even more brave adventurers are eager to test themselves against it.
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. Exploration: It is extremely easy to lose one's way at Lop Nur, which is why there is such a long list of missing persons. Thorough preparation is essential before venturing in.
- 2. Routes: There are two routes into Lop Nur. One starts from Dunhuang in the east; the other starts from Korla or Ruoqiang in the west. If you are travelling to Korla or Ruoqiang from elsewhere, it is best to make Urumqi your first stop. Lop Nur lies in the middle of the desert and transport is very limited, so explorers mostly choose to cross by car or on foot.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Lop Nur?
Take a bus from Korla to Ruoqiang, then charter a vehicle to Lop Nur.
How long should I spend at Lop Nur?
Plan on 1–2 hours for Lop Nur.
Where is Lop Nur?
Lop Nur is in Bayingolin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in the Northwest of China.
More places in Bayingolin
Bayanbulak Grassland
It is China's second-largest grassland after the Ordos Grassland in Inner Mongolia, covering 22,000 square kilometres at the junction of Bayingolin, Aksu, and Ili. “Bayanbulak” means “rich spring” in Mongolian. Every year on the 4th day of the 6th lunar month, a two-day Mongolian Nadam festival begins on this fertile grassland. If you have enough time and money, hire an off-road vehicle and venture deep into the grassland, where little-known beauty lies at the very heart of it. Beyond the grass, the blue sky, and the distant mountains, there is only your own breath.
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Loulan Ancient City
At the ruins of the Loulan Kingdom, which vanished suddenly between the 4th and 5th centuries, there are traces of human activity dating back 10,000 years. This mysterious ancient kingdom has left many abandoned ancient cities along the Tarim River and in the Taklamakan Desert, along with countless enigmas that remain unsolved. Famous sites in the region include Luntai Ancient City, ancient tomb clusters, the Qiemo ruins, ancient beacon towers, and ancient rock paintings.
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Kaidu River
Legend has it that this was the last of the 81 ordeals Tang Monk faced on his journey to fetch scriptures from the Western Heaven. The unique scenery of the Kaidu River's 18 bends can be admired from the highest point of the scenic area, reached by sightseeing bus, with wide and open views. At sunset, if you're lucky and find the right angle, you may see nine suns reflected in the river, making it a prized spot for photography enthusiasts.
Golden Sand Beach
The boundless Bosten Lake stretches to the horizon, its misty waters possessing the spirit of the sea. Across its vast expanse, water and sky meet. The fine silver sand is soft, and the lake water is so clear you can see the bottom, earning it the nickname “Hawaii of Xinjiang.” Take a boat out to the middle of the lake: to the north, high mountains rise, armoured in ice and snow; to the south, sand dunes roll on, and sand and water coexist in a mysterious, unpredictable scene.
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Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve
It is China's largest high-altitude nature reserve, home to many endangered alpine wildlife species, including wild yaks, Tibetan antelopes, and Tibetan wild asses. Large numbers of birds also gather on its high-altitude lakes, rivalling the numbers at Qinghai Lake.
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Luoburen Village Scenic Area
Luoburen Village borders the Taklamakan Desert, China's largest desert. The Tarim River, the longest inland river in China, flows through the scenic area, and it contains the largest protected area of primeval populus euphratica forest. It is a distinctive scenic spot that combines natural and cultural landscapes. The Lop people are one of Xinjiang's oldest ethnic groups, and their folk customs, folk songs, and stories have unique artistic value. Visitors can wade across rivers, walk through forests, ride camels, and watch the sand sea. They can also go hunting, sandboarding, and fishing by boat, listen to Lop folk songs, watch Lop dances around a bonfire, and sleep in reed huts, experiencing the ancient Lop culture and the joy of returning to nature.
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