Badain Jaran Geo-region is a boundless, inviting ocean of sand and it is the desert version of Mount Everest, where soaring sand peaks await your expedition. This is also the stage for incredible concerts, where the singing sand entertains you with its exotic music. Here you will find the most concentrated outdoor desert art galleries in the world, a showcase of graceful and unforgettable works created by the wind and sand.
(1) Badain Jaran Desert Geo-area
Badain Jaran Desert Geo-area is an ocean of sand and it is a depositional landform. Sand carried by wind settled here over thousands of years. You can run, jump and roll freely in the desert and marvel at the sand peaks of all shapes and sizes. Conquer the highest sand peak in the world; admire the ever-changing pattern of sand; explore a mysterious desert lake; or do an ensemble with the singing sand.
Layer upon layer of ochre rock beds in Eribugai Geo-area were formed by sand and gravel deposited in the river delta back in the days when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Who knows? Perhaps dinosaur remains are hidden in the rock. The gorges here were formed by water and wind, which have used these paths over tens of millions of years, carving out huge ravines from the flat rock. Why not repeat their steps through the great gorges of time? Trace the geological secrets that have been buried for a hundred million years.
Haisenchulu Geo-area is a bewildering desert citadel built with materials dating back 150 million years. This cooled and solidified magma is better known as granite. Thanks to a master sculptor, called wind, who spent long ages cutting and carving it, the rock is strewn with holes, some like honeycombs, and others like mushrooms. This extraordinary desert citadel is constantly sculpted by the wind. There is no way to guess what it will look like the next time you visit.
The moment you set off for Mount Mandela, you are on a voyage to the most enchanting outdoor pre-historic art gallery in Alxa. The dark magmatic rock dykes have more than 4000 ancient rock paintings with messages left by our ancestors, revealing the lifestyle, religious faith, astronomy and geography of ancient times.
Juyan Geo-region of Alxa Desert Global Geopark is called rainbow city of the desert. In Juyan Geo-region, you can have a journey of colors to the gray-yellow desert and the dark Gobi Desert and the turquoise Juyan Lake, where emerald floating grass grows. Feast your eyes on the red and green Haloxylon ammodendron trees and the golden Populus forest. For even more interesting colors on your geo-tour, do not miss historical relics, like Black City, Red City and Green City.
Juyan Lake Geo-area.is a beautiful desert oasis. There the ever-moving desert stops. Rich underground water resources have transformed the sandy land into an oasis bursting with life, giving birth to an idyllic river and lake, where reed beds and rare animals flourish. Precious water recourses also support the Haloxylon anmodendron forest, which flaunts its stunning seasonal colors, and the Populus forest, which turns a dazzling gold every autumn.
Populus Forest Geo-area is the home of the Populus tree, a desert hero. A rare tree from time immemorial, the Populus is distributed only in the rim of the Gobi Desert in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang area of
The Black City in Black City Geo-area is the largest and best preserved ancient city ruins in the region found to date. It also has the greatest number of unearthed relics. Black City was an oasis city on a main line of the Silk Road. It was a bustling city in ancient times and neighbour to other cities, like Red City, Datong City and Jiaquhouguan. Affected by global climate change, the once thriving Populus forest gradually withered, and it is now called “Guaishulin’’ (strange forest). Black City was also a victim of drought.
Tengger Geo-region of Alxa Desert Global Geopark is the epitome of diverse desert landforms. You will see the vast Tengger Desert, attractive desert lakes, green oases and abundant wildlife, which enriches the sandy land with vibrant energy. The unbroken line of peaks of the Helan Mountains and the awe-inspiring red Aolunbulage Grand Canyon are witnesses to the fascinating geological history of this great land, while South Temple and other cultural heritage sites await your visit.
(1) Aolunbulage Geo-area
Set off by the background of blue sky and white clouds, the canyon of Aolunbulage Geo-area is great and imposing, with vicissitudes of grandeur. Located in it, we can see the scenery changes its aspect at every turn. The mighty force of water has carved out huge ravines in the flat rock. Come follow the footsteps of this water through the 3000 m great gorge of time. Marvel at the magnificent canyon, a natural masterpiece that took tens of millions of years to complete.
Tonghu Geo-area is the world of desert lakes. More than 400 desert lakes make up this lake district of the Tengger Desert, creating an area of extraordinary natural beauty. Fed by subterranean water sources, most of these lakes never dry up, despite the hostile climate. Tonghu is the most scenic example of them all. Surrounded by sand dunes on four sides, it is rimmed by green grass. On the edge of the lake, white yurts and multi-colored wild camps highlight the ethnic charm of Mongolian Nationality, showcasing the fascinating cultural heritage of the Mongolian desert.
(3) Moon Lake Geo-area
In ancient times, an extended drought caused a large lake in the region to be divided into many small water bodies, among them Moon Lake, this desert lake, the most beautiful of its kind, is closest to the urban center. Named for its crescent shape when viewed from the east, the lake resembles the map of
