Western Inner Mongolia

The western Inner Mongolia region of Bayannur, Wuhai and Alxa features the Badain Jaran Desert, the Ejina poplar forests and the grand scenery of the Hetao Plain.

The Western Inner Mongolia region covers the entire jurisdictions of Bayannur, Wuhai and Alxa League in the west of Inner Mongolia, and is one of the places in China with the greatest concentration of desert and Gobi landscapes. The commonly mentioned "Alxa Desert" is only a part of it; the region also includes the Hetao Plain along the Yellow River and Wuhai. Alxa League is vast: the Badain Jaran Desert in Alxa Right Banner is known for its towering dunes and desert lakes and is a mecca for off-roaders and hikers; the poplar forests of Ejin Banner turn a brilliant gold every autumn, with the Khara-Khoto ruins and Juyan Lake nearby; Bayanhot, the seat of Alxa Left Banner, has the ancient town of Dingyuanying, and spots such as Moon Lake in the Tengger Desert are good for desert camping. Wuhai sits on the Yellow River, where Wuhai Lake and the desert complement each other, and the city is known as the City of Calligraphy. Bayannur is home to the Hetao Irrigation District, where the Yellow River, Wuliangsuhai Lake and the Yinshan rock paintings form a landscape in which farming and grassland cultures blend. Classic itineraries are a five- to seven-day autumn route combining the Ejina poplars with the Badain Jaran Desert, or a three- to four-day trip along the Yellow River linking Wuhai and Bayannur. For transport, Alxa Left Banner, Alxa Right Banner, Ejina, Wuhai and Bayannur all have airports, and the Baotou–Lanzhou railway passes through Bayannur and Wuhai; distances within the region are extremely long and supply points are scarce, so for the desert be sure to choose a licensed guide and a professional off-road vehicle. Accommodation in Ejina is tight during the poplar season and must be booked in advance; in summer the sun is intense, so guard against heat and keep hydrated.

Destinations

Itineraries