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,…
Western Dreamland Canyon, Alxa
Key facts
- Admission
- ¥60
- Opening hours
- 8：00—18：00
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Getting there
- Self-driving or a chartered car is recommended
- Guidebook rating
- 3 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 1917. Open in Google Maps
About 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.
Tips from the guidebook
- Ejin Banner is most famous for its populus euphratica (desert poplar) scenery. The forest duel between Maggie Cheung and Zhang Ziyi in the film Hero made these poplar forests especially well known. The area is also home to Juyan culture, with many Western Xia ruins nearby. It was an important frontier garrison town in Chinese history and lay on the ancient Silk Road.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Western Dreamland Canyon cost?
Admission to Western Dreamland Canyon is ¥60, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
What are the opening hours of Western Dreamland Canyon?
Western Dreamland Canyon is open 8：00—18：00.
How do I get to Western Dreamland Canyon?
Self-driving or a chartered car is recommended
How long should I spend at Western Dreamland Canyon?
Plan on 3–4 hours for Western Dreamland Canyon.
Where is Western Dreamland Canyon?
Western Dreamland Canyon is in Alxa, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, in the North China of China. In the foothills of the Yin Mountains, Aolunbulag Town, Alxa Left Banner
More places in Alxa
Badain Jaran Desert
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.
Free admission to the scenic area; Badain Lake ticket ¥65; Badain Jaran Desert Geopark ticket ¥220 · 1–2 days
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.
¥10 · 0.5–1 hour
Tengger Desert
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."
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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.
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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?
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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.
Combined ticket ¥120 (covers the Strange Tree Forest, Heishui Ancient City, Datong City and Red City scenic areas) · 1–2 hours