Shapotou, Zhongwei, Ningxia

At Shapotou in Zhongwei, Ningxia, the mighty Yellow River meets the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert, creating one of the most remarkable landscapes in northwestern China. Golden dunes, flowing water, lush oases, and distant mountains come together in a breathtaking panorama.

Shapotou is also home to the world-renowned straw checkerboard sand-control system, an innovative method that has helped combat desertification for decades. Ride a traditional sheepskin raft on the Yellow River, race down the dunes on a sand slide, or explore the desert by camel. Here, you can experience the sweeping scenery that evokes the timeless lines by the Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Wang Wei (699-761): "A lone plume of smoke rises above the vast desert; the setting sun hangs over the long Yellow River."

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