Blog Posts

2018-05-20

Hiking at Tengger Desert, Alxa League - China

The Tengger Desert (Mongolian: Тэнгэр цөл, Chinese: 腾格里沙漠; literally: "Sky Desert") is an arid natural region that covers about 36,700 km2 and is mostly in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China.

I have recorded my hiking trip published at https://youtu.be/xUHRdAWbkQs

Day 1 - Arrival to YinChuan, NingXia, China
Day 2 - Drive to Alxa League and meet-up with group
Day 3 - Hiking about 30 kms from 0900 hrs to 1800 hrs
Day 4 - Early AM to 1400 hrs continue with Hike at desert
Day 4 - Visit nearby landmarks and proceed to Hedong Airport

NingXia has limited tourist attractions and I found the city relatively expensive in China especially hailing cabs. However, one night stay at Park Hyatt cost me around 100 USD which was reasonable. Sand Lake in Ningxia could be an option to pay a visit if time & weather permits.

Sand Lake is located within an hour’s drive north of Yinchuan City, the capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sand Lake covers a total of 80.10 square kilometers, comprising of 45 square kilometers of lake and wetland and 20 square kilometers of desert. It offers various distinctive tourism resources with a crescent-shaped lake resting among broad sand dunes. The golden sand, green lake teeming with fish, emerald reeds, a sky filled with flocks of birds, magnificent mountains and colorful lotuses form breathtaking scenery. A boat trip is a good way to get close to the flocks of cranes and the fish in the water. And it is much appreciated by tourists.

You can download official scanned flyer from here and here for more details.