# Alxa travel guide (阿拉善) Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region · North China, China · 14 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/inner-mongolia/alxa ## Quick itinerary - **Day 1:** Alxa Museum → Tengger Desert → Swan Lake (camping and tent accommodation available) - **Day 2:** Swan Lake → Moon Lake → Tonghu Grassland - **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. ## The feel of the place ### 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. ## 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** — (Junmin East Street, Dalai Hobot Town, Ejin Banner, 0483-6969888) - **Juxian Zhuang** — Rooms are clean, and options are available across several price levels, with considerable room for bargaining. (East of Juyan Road, opposite the police station, 0483-6524902) ## Things to see - **Alxa Museum** (★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours 9：30—17：30; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/alxa-museum - **Tengger Desert** (★★★★★): Admission Free (the area is free; the individual scenic areas inside charge separately); Opening hours 08:00-18:30; Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/tengger-desert - **Moon Lake** (★★★★): Admission ¥100; Opening hours 08:00-18:00; Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/moon-lake - **Swan Lake** (★★★★): Admission Entrance ¥35; combo packages including other activities ¥50–250; Opening hours 08:00-19:00; Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/swan-lake-alxa - **Guangzong Temple (South Temple)** (★★★): Admission ¥80; Opening hours 08:00-17:30; Time needed 3–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/guangzong-temple-south-temple - **Fuyin Temple (North Temple)** (★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours 07:00-18:00; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/fuyin-temple-north-temple - **Tonghu Grassland** (★★★★): Admission Standard ticket price (children under 1.2 m / under 6 years old free, including shuttle bus; free admission for those aged 60 and over; student discounts; free for military personnel, people with disabilities, firefighters, journalists, etc.); Opening hours 2026.10.21-2026.12.31 09:00-17:30; 2027.04.01-2027.10.20 09:00-20:00; Time needed 4–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/tonghu-grassland - **Badain Jaran Desert** (★★★★★): Admission Free admission to the scenic area; Badain Lake ticket ¥65; Badain Jaran Desert Geopark ticket ¥220; Opening hours 08:30-18:00; Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/badain-jaran-desert - **Western Dreamland Canyon** (★★★): Admission ¥60; Opening hours 8：00—18：00; Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/western-dreamland-canyon - **Ejina Desert Populus Euphratica Forest** (★★★★): Admission From (children aged 6-18 half price, etc.); Opening hours 07:00-19:30; Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/ejina-desert-populus-euphratica-forest - **Divine Tree of the Populus Euphratica Forest** (★★★★★): Admission ¥10; Opening hours Open all day; Time needed 0.5–1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/divine-tree-of-the-populus-euphratica-forest - **Strange Tree Forest** (★★★★): Admission Combined ticket ¥120 (covers the Strange Tree Forest, Heishui Ancient City, Datong City and Red City scenic areas); Opening hours 06:30-18:00; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/strange-tree-forest - **Heishui Ancient City (Khara-Khoto)** (★★★★): Admission From (children under 6 / under 1.2 m free; free for ages 70 and over; half price for ages 65-70; half price for students, etc.); Opening hours 09:00-17:00; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/heishui-ancient-city-khara-khoto - **Juyan Lake** (★★★★): Admission ¥60; sightseeing shuttle ¥15; Opening hours 05:30-20:00 (Sep 30-Oct 24; for other seasons, follow the scenic area's announcements); Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/juyan-lake --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 1911–1922. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.