Table of Contents
- 1. Taklimakan Desert
- 2. Badain Jaran Desert
- 3. Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Spring
- 4. Shapotou Desert
- 5. Gurbantunggut Desert
- 6. Tengger Desert
- 7. Kubuqi Desert
- 8. Chaidamu Desert (Qaidam Basin)
Does China have deserts? Yes. In fact, China is one of the countries with the largest desert areas in the world. There are 8 major deserts in China, and another 4 major sandy areas.
Different from Gobi, filled with exposed rocks, deserts are spectacular areas of sand which attract millions of visitors and explorers every year. If you want to experience the mystery of deserts in China, here are 5 most beautiful deserts in China we recommend to you to have a visit. There is the biggest desert in China, the ancient desert with oases and Great Wall fortifications, and the most beautiful desert, ideal for hiking and camping.
Taklamakan Desert
Facts:
- City: Hotan, Aksu, Bayingolin, Kashgar, Xinjiang Province
- Local Specialty Food: a pastry called “Kumaixi”, beef, mutton
- Best time to visit: October to November
- Average temperature: 26℃, but there are big temperature differences between day and night
Taklamakan Desert is the largest desert in China, and it’s also the second largest desert in the world.
Among the world's deserts, the Taklimakan desert is one of the most mysterious. So far, numerous ancient city sites have been found here, and cotton prints and embroidery from the Eastern Han Dynasty have been unearthed at the Niya site.
Deep in the desert, there are two huge sand dunes with distinct red and white features, called "Holy Sepulcher Hill". The wind-erosion mushrooms on the "Holy Sepulcher Hill" are truly spectacular, about 5 meters high, and can hold more than 10 people under the huge canopy.
Around the desert, along the banks of the Yarkant River, Tarim River, Hotan River and Qiemo River, poplar forests and willows grow densely, forming the view of "sand sea with green island". Rabbits, birds and other animals live in the forest belt, which adds some vitality to the "sea of death".
Travel Tips
Good to know: If driving by yourself, a high-performance four-wheel drive off-road vehicle is recommended; essential items to pack include sufficient drinking water, food, sun protection equipment, etc.; a professional local guide is mandatory, and avoid entering uninhabited areas alone.
How to get there: fly to Hotan, book a jeep, then drive 30 km (one hour) to the edge of the Taklimakan Desert, then begin your desert exploration. It offers one of the best road trips in China.
Top Things to Do: Driving along the Taklamakan Desert Highway; Hike, ride camels, camp, capture sunrise and sunset, and observe stars in the desert.
>> Recommended Taklimakan Desert Tour:
Badain Jaran Desert
Facts:
- City: Alxa Youqi, Inner Mongolia Province
- Local Specialty Food: beef noodles, mutton, Mongolia traditional Local Specialty Food, milk wine
- Best time to visit: June to October
- Average temperature: 25℃, but there are big temperature differences between day and night
The 2rd biggest in desrt China, Badain Jaran Desert is a collection of the magnificent deserts, known for its high, steep, dangerous, handsome dunes. Unique sand hills, singing sand, lakes, holy spring and temple are the wonders of Badain Jaran Desert. Bilutu sand peak, known as "Everest of sand sea ", is 70 meters higher than the world's second highest sand peak in the Sahara Desert in Africa.
A large number of paleoanimal fossil including dinosaur fossil, neolithic and paleolithic tools have been found around the lake in the desert. You can learn many beautiful legends from here.
Travel Tips
Good to know: The accommodation options are mainly camping or simple lodgings; windproof and sand-proof equipment is essential - to protect your skin and your camera.
How to get there: take train to Jinchang, Gansu Province, book a jeep to drive around 140km to get there.
Top Activities: Hiking to Birutu Peak - At an altitude of 1611 meters, it is one of the highest sand dunes in the world; Visiting the Badain Jaran Temple, built in 1755 and known as the "Desert Forbidden City"; Exploring the desert lake clusters, such as Badain Lake; Desert photography of the starry sky, sand dunes, and lakes
>> Recommended Badain Jaran Desert Tours
Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Spring
Facts:
- City: Dunhuang, Gansu Province
- Local Specialty Food: minced noodles, Niangpizi noodles, mutton
- Best time to visit: July to August
- Average temperature: 24℃, but there are big temperature differences between day and night
On the edge of the Tengger Desert, there are two marvelous things about Sing Sand Dunes: if people slide down from the top, the sand under their feet will purr, just like singing; people climb the sand dunes left footprints during the day, they will not be traced on the next day.
Crescent spring is in the Singing Sand Dunes, the water is as blue as emerald, setting on the golden dunes. Through the ages, it is famous for its wonderful landscape of "coexistence of dunes and springs ", Known as "one of the best scenery of frontier".
Travel Tips
Good to know: The tickets are valid for three days and allow multiple entries; During the summer holiday and China Golden Week, there are more domestic tourists.
How to get there: fly or take a bullet train to Dunhuang, book a private car or take a bus to get there.
Top Things to Do: Ride camels into the heart of the desert; Sand skiing - the most kid-friendly activity; Take pictures of the classic reflection of the Crescent Lake; Night tour of the desert and watch the light show - available during peak season
>> Recommended Singing Sand Dunes Tours
Shapotou Desert
Facts:
- City: Zhongwei, Ningxia Province
- Local Specialty Food: mutton, steamed dumpling, minced noodles
- Best time to visit: June to October
- Average temperature: 25℃, but there are big temperature differences between day and night
Near the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert and Yellow River, Shapotou Desert gathers the vast desert, surging Yellow River, tall and straight mountains, green oasis as a whole, no lack of good scenery in the north. A famous TV show in China was filmed here.
Riding camels, listening to the camel bell, seeing the boundless golden sand, you can enjoy a leisure and comfortable desert tour. Various activities can also enrich your experience, such as sand skiing, desert drifting, etc.
Travel Tips
Good to know: Best for families with kids; The shuttle bus connects the Yellow River District and the Desert District scenic areas; sun protection equipment is essential.
How to get there: fly or take a bullet train to Yinchuan, then take a bus. Around 3hrs later, you will get there.
Top Things to Do: A host of activities suitable for both adults and children, such as sandboarding, the Yellow River sky sled/sling, desert surfing vehicles, taking a raft ride on the Huanghe River, and of course, camel riding.
>> Recommended China Desert Tours to Shapotou Desert
Gurbantunggut Desert
Facts:
- City: Changjizhou, Xinjiang
- Local Specialty Food: pastry, mutton
- Best time to visit: January to August is the best time to have an exploration trip; September to December is good to enjoy the view.
- Average temperature: 25℃, but there are big temperature differences between day and night
Gurbantunggut Desert owns the widest fixed and semi-fixed dunes in China, and the dunes are covered with haloxylon ammodendrons, tamarisks and poplar trees. With a vegetation coverage of 40-50% on fixed dunes, it's a good winter pasture.
The vast desert oasis not only has various wonders, but also retains a large number of precious cultural relics of the ancient Silk Road. Desert exploration, can continue from the Host haizi, along the ancient camel road to north, crossing though the Gurbantunggut Desert, directly to Altay.
Travel Tips
Good to know: Best for self-driving, but requires experience as it is remote.
Top Things to Do: Explore the less-visited pristine desert landscapes; capture desert vegetation, wildflowers and wildlife in spring; the snow-covered desert scenery is extremely unique; camp and photograph the stars and star trails
How to get there: fly to Urumchi, Xinjiang, taking a bus to Shihezi city. Book a private car or jeep to get there.
Tengger Desert
Facts:
- City: Mainly located in Alashan League and Zhongwei City in Inner Mongolia
- Local Specialized Food: Hand-held mutton, roasted whole sheep, Yellow River carp, Ningxia medicinal herbs products
- Best time to visit: April to October, when the weather is comfortable; avoid the severe cold in winter.
- Average temperature: Around 25–38°C in summer; around 10–25°C in spring and autumn
Tengger Desert is the fourth largest desert in China and the second largest desert in Inner Mongolia. "Tengger" is a Mongolian word meaning "sky", as the vast sandy sea resembles an endless sky.
There are hundreds of lakes in the desert that have remained for tens of millions of years. Swallow Lake is a home for migratory birds in the desert and also the best place for desert exploration and ecological sightseeing. And Moon Lake, shining red in the sunlight, is called "the Heart of the Earth".
Travel Tips
- It's good to know: Pack essentials for preventing sandstorms and sun protection; for your safety, do not venture deep into the desert alone.
- How to get there: Take a train, a long-distance bus, or a plane to reach Yinchuan in Ningxia, Zhongwei in Ningxia, or Alashlag County in Inner Mongolia, then take a bus, taxi, or a private car to go to the Tengger Desert.
- Top things to do: Experience a campfire party and a starry sky without light pollution in the desert; experience the thrilling off-road desert crossing; more classic desert activities include riding camels, sand sliding, sandboard riding, and desert photography.
Recommended Tengger Desert tours:
Kubuqi Desert
Facts:
- City: Located in the northern part of Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, spanning Hengjin Banner, Darat Banner and Zhongge Banner; close to Baotou City
- Local Specialized Food: Hand-cut meat, grilled lamb skewers, oatmeal, dairy products (milk tea, cheese, milk cake, etc.), Inner Mongolia-style stewed dishes
- Best time to visit: May to October, when the weather is mild, visitors can enjoy various outdoor activities
- Average temperature: In summer, approximately 20–35°C; in spring and autumn, approximately 10–25°C
The seventh largest desert in China,tThe Kubuqi Desert is the closest desert to Beijing. Its main attractions are Xiangsha Bay and Yiming Sand. Xiangsha Bay is divided into Xiansha Island and Yuesha Island. It is a great choices for family tourists and most travelers, but it is more commercialized. Yiming Sand is more authentic, with few tourists. You can experience off-road vehicles and camel riding.
Visit the desert oasis of Qixing Lake, where the desert and the lake complement each other in a wonderful scene. Go to Engebe Ecological Demonstration Area to see how yellow sand is transformed into an oasis.
Travel Tips
- Good to know: Always apply sunscreen, wear sunlgasses, and drink much water; Best for families and first-time desert visitors
- How to get there: Take the high-speed rail/airplane to reach Baotou or Ordos, then transfer the shuttle bus to Laotai Banner, and then take a taxi. Better yet, book a private car.
- Top things to do: Various activities offer desert fun, such as sandboarding, camel rides across dunes, desert cable cars/sidewalks, desert off-road vehicles, desert motorcycles, and desert amusement park facilities, etc.
Recommended 6 Days China Grassland & Desert Discovery
Chaidamu Desert (Qaidam Basin)
Facts:
- City: Located in Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, near Golmud City and Delingha City
- Local Specialized Foods: Mutton, Qinghai Yogurt, Hand-Me-Derived Mutton, Ghee Tea, Barley Products
- Best Time to Visit: May to October when the weather is relatively mild and the road conditions are also better
- Average Temperature: Summer approximately 15–30°C; Spring and Autumn approximately 5–20°C (large temperature difference)
Located in the northwest of Qinghai Province in the Qaidam Basin, the Qaidam Desert is the fifth largest desert in China and the highest desert in the world. Its altitude ranges from 2,500 to 3,000 meters. Here, the most isolated yet incredibly beautiful highway, the G315 national highway, runs through the Gobi Desert and also makes another best of the road trips in China.
Travel Tips
- It's good to know: Some tourists may experience altitude sickness, so it is recommended that they acclimate for one day after arrival before embarking on desert tours; prepare clothes suitable for different seasons to adapt to the large temperature difference between day and night.
- How to get there: Self-drive or a private car
- Top things to do: Appreciate the desert landscapes of the Qaidam Basin, including deserts, saline-alkali lands, and interlaced deserts; visit the Chaka Salt Lake and Jade Lake; experience the scenery along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, featuring deserts, snow-capped mountains, and lakes; capture the "Mars-like landscape" - the Yubo Liang Yadan landform
FAQ about China Desert
How much of China is desert?
At present, the total area of desertified land in China is 2,573,700 square kilometers, accounting for 26.81% of the country's total land area. Among them, the total area of deserts and gobi regions is approximately 1,280,000 square kilometers, accounting for about 13% of China's total land area.
Where is Gobi desert in china?
Its main distribution areas are in the western part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China, the northern part of Gansu Province, the northern part of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and the eastern part of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
What desert is located in northern china?
The major deserts and sandy areas in China are all located in the northern part of the country.
What is the desert city in China?
Dunhuang (in Gansu), Shanshan County (in Turpan City, Xinjiang), Zhongwei City (in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region), Alxa League (in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region), Erdos City and Yinchuan City are adjacent to the desert or located on the edge of the desert and are deeply influenced by the desert environment.