—"The sand here sings, and the scenery here intoxicates."
🌵 1. Where is Xiangshawan?
- Location: Dalad Banner, Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, at the eastern end of the Kubuqi Desert (approx. 50 km from Baotou, approx. 180 km from Hohhot).
- Features: China's first 5A-level desert scenic spot, named for the sound produced by the friction of sand particles, known as the "Desert Disney."
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🚗 2. How to get there?
1. External Transportation
- Airplane: Fly to Baotou Donghe Airport/Ordos Ejin Horo Airport, then take a taxi or rent a car (approx. 1–1.5 hrs).
- Train: Get off at Baotou Railway Station/Baotou East Railway Station, then charter a car or share a ride (approx. 1 hr drive).
- Self-drive: Navigate to "Xiangshawan Tourist Area," approx. 2.5 hrs from Hohhot, with stunning desert highway scenery along the way.
2. Transportation within the Scenic Area
- Cable car: A must-try! Crosses the desert canyon, overlooking the rolling sand dunes (cable car fee included in the ticket).
- Desert yacht/off-road vehicle: Thrilling shuttle through the sand sea, directly to the core play area.
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🎫 3. Tickets and Fees
- Tickets:
- Peak season (May–October) CNY 130/person, off-season CNY 80/person (including cable car).
- Recommended Package Deals:
- Xiansha Island Package (CNY 320): Includes camel riding, desert motorcycles, ziplining, etc.
- Yuesha Island Package (CNY 280): Water park, sand sculpture park, Ordos wedding performance.
- Accommodation:
- Lotus Hotel (desert internet-famous hotel, including all-inclusive experience, approx. CNY 2000+/night).
- Desert camping: Approx. CNY 300–500/person (including bonfire party, stargazing).
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🏜️ 4. Recommended Must-do Activities
1. Classic Experiences
- Camel riding: Stroll through the sand dunes, experience the Silk Road style (approx. CNY 60/person).
- Sand sliding: Dive down from a 100m sand slope, thrilling and stress-relieving (sandboards provided free of charge).
- Desert motorcycle: Roar through the sand sea (requires additional fee).
2. Internet-famous Check-in Spots
- Xiangshawan photography: Wear a red dress/Hanfu, take stunning desert photos (recommended to shoot during soft light in the morning or evening).
- Stargazing camping: Watch the stars in the desert at night, the Milky Way is clearly visible (best in summer).
- Xiansha Island performance: Acrobatics, Mongolian song and dance (fixed time slots daily).
3. Family-friendly
- Desert train: Full of fairytale charm, children's favorite.
- Digging "sounding sand": Fill a bottle with sand and shake it to hear the magical sound.
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📅 5. Best Time to Travel
- Recommended season: May–October (avoid the cold winter, pay attention to sun protection in summer).
- Daily time slots:
- Morning 6–9 am: Fewer people, cool, suitable for taking pictures.
- Evening 4–7 pm: Sunset over the sand dunes, stunning light and shadow.
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🧳 6. Pre-trip Checklist
- Sun protection: Sunglasses, hat, high SPF sunscreen (desert UV rays are extremely strong!).
- Sand protection: Face scarf, mobile phone dustproof bag, shoe covers (available for rent in the scenic area).
- Clothing: Large temperature difference between day and night, bring a windproof jacket + short sleeves; bright-colored clothing is recommended for photos.
- Other: Moisturizing skincare products, sufficient drinking water, power bank (no power outlets in the desert).
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⚠️ 7. Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Points to avoid:
- The sand surface is hot at noon, avoid walking barefoot!
- Food and drinks in the scenic area are expensive, you can bring your own dry food.
2. Hidden gems:
- Find a local herdsman to guide you and explore undeveloped sand dunes.
- The sand dunes are more likely to make sounds after rain (affected by humidity).
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📸 8. Recommended Photo Spots
1. Sunset viewing platform: Capture the continuous curves of the golden sand dunes.
2. Camel train background: Dynamic camel shadows add a sense of story to the picture.
3. Outside the Lotus Hotel: The sci-fi feel of modern architecture colliding with the desert.
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💬 9. Travel Reflections
"In Xiangshawan, the desert is not synonymous with desolation—the screams while sand sliding, the jingle of camel bells, the laughter around the bonfire at night… This sand that sings responds to every traveler with enthusiasm."
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✨ Tip: There is Wi-Fi in the scenic area, but the signal is unstable. It is recommended to download offline maps in advance! Go embrace your desert adventure.