Hongjiannao Lake
红碱淖
China's largest desert freshwater lake, in northern Shenmu City, surrounded by rolling dunes. It is the world's largest breeding ground of the Relict Gull, a first-class nationally protected bird.
Hongjiannao lies in Erlintu Town, Shenmu City, on the Shaanxi–Inner Mongolia border. It is China's largest desert freshwater lake, surrounded by dunes and grassland. Every spring and summer, large numbers of the Relict Gull, a first-class nationally protected species, breed on islands in the lake, making it the species' largest breeding ground in the world. The scenic area offers beaches, boat trips and camel riding, but water levels have dropped in recent years and some shoreline has receded noticeably. It is about 90 km from Yulin city, roughly 1.5 hours' drive. For bird-watching, bring a telephoto lens and follow the nature reserve rules.
Opening hours
All day (site activities approx. 08:00–18:00)