A full day at Xiangshawan — ride the cableway, choose your island, and play across the singing dunes of the Kubuqi Desert.
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From $101.00
Ride a Cable Car Across the Sea of Sand
Take a cable car slowly ascending, overlooking the rolling golden sand dunes, to arrive at the island of your choice.
Experience Desert Amusement Projects — From Ziplines to ATVs
Experience high-altitude ziplines, roller coasters, and ATVs at Xiansha Island; or enjoy the water park and sand sculpture garden at Yuesha Island.
Stroll the Dunes, Capture Afternoon Desert Light and Shadows
Step away from the amusement rides, stroll along the golden sand ridges, and photograph the shifting afternoon light and shadows alongside the vast desert panorama.
Your Guide Will Reveal the Ecological Transformation of the Kubuqi Desert
Learn how China's desert control projects turned shifting dunes into oases—your guide will explain how the plants beneath your feet resulted from this.
A full-day desert adventure at Xiangshawan in the Kubuqi Desert. Ride the cableway across golden dunes to your chosen island — Xiansha for ziplines, ATVs, and roller coasters, or Yuesha for a desert water world and sand sculpture garden. Walk the dunes, capture afternoon light, and learn how decades of reclamation turned shifting sand into fixed oasis. Lunch at the island restaurant, then free time to keep exploring before the cableway ride back.
Duration
1 day
Tour Type
Private Guided Tours
Theme
Adventure
Group Size
Only Your Group
Start City
Baotou
Activity Level
MODERATE
Route Map
Map pins show the primary places guests will visit on this route.
A single-day route shown in the exact order configured by the travel team, with clear AM and PM time markers.
Baotou or Ordos Hotel → Kubuqi Desert · Xiangshawan
transferBaotou or Ordos Hotel or Preferred Location
Your guide and driver meet you at your hotel in Baotou or Ordos and set off toward the Kubuqi Desert. The journey takes about 1.5 hours across the Ordos Plateau, passing through semi-arid grasslands and scattered villages. Your guide shares stories about the region's transformation from desert wasteland to ecological recovery zone, setting the stage for the adventures ahead.
Highlights
Cableway to the Island
attractionXiangshawan Scenic Area, Kubuqi Desert
Ride the cableway across the sand sea as the car climbs slowly over rolling golden dunes. Arrive at the upper station and walk to the island entrance. Your guide assists with ticket processing and briefs you on the layout of included attractions so you can plan your sequence. Then explore freely — you choose between Xiansha Island or Yuesha Island, each with its own character.
Highlights
Island Play (Xiansha or Yuesha, Choose One)
activityXiansha Island suits thrill-seekers — the package includes high-altitude zipline, all-terrain vehicles, roller coasters, bumper cars, track cycling, swing paradise, plus beach soccer and volleyball. A children's zone offers mini train and desert whirlwind rides. Yuesha Island is built for families and relaxation — the package includes the Desert Water World with water speedboats, flying saucers and water fortress, plus sky pool, check-in pool, Jingyue pool, and a sand sculpture garden. Pick your island and play.
Highlights
Lunch (Option)
mealXiangshawan Scenic Area, Kubuqi Desert
Lunch is not included in the tour price, giving you full flexibility. Your guide will recommend a genuine local restaurant based on personal experience — not the pre-arranged tourist traps typical agencies use. They will help you order authentic dishes, explain local specialties, and make sure you enjoy a real meal the way locals do.
Highlights
Desert Free Time
attractionXiangshawan Scenic Area, Kubuqi Desert
Head back to the sand after lunch — keep enjoying package attractions or wander the dunes on your own. Walk the ridges and photograph the afternoon light shifting across the sand. Your guide waits at a agreed spot, ready to assist. Take the cableway back down in late afternoon to wrap up your Xiangshawan desert day.
Highlights
Kubuqi Desert · Xiangshawan → Baotou or Ordos Hotel
transferBaotou or Ordos Hotel or Preferred Location
Leave the desert behind and return to your hotel in Baotou or Ordos. Relax in the comfortable private vehicle as your driver navigates the scenic route back. Your guide shares final insights about the region's ecology and culture, answering any remaining questions. Flexible drop-off at your hotel or preferred location in the city.
Highlights
Optional Experiences
Add upgrades while reviewing the itinerary. Availability is confirmed by the team before final payment.
Try the traditional Mongolian sand therapy—a local wellness practice said to ease joint pain and draw out dampness. Let the desert sun warm you as you're gently buried in the sand. A strange, soothing, and unforgettable desert ritual, available right on site.
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Adult $0.00 · Child $0.00 · Infant $0.00
Drive the legendary desert highway straight through the heart of Kubuqi, China's seventh-largest desert. Sand dunes rise on both sides as the road cuts a clean line through the sea of sand—one of the most striking drives in Inner Mongolia. Hop out for photos, feel the scale of the desert, and watch the dunes shift with the wind.
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Adult $0.00 · Child $0.00 · Infant $0.00
Witness the front line of China's war on desertification. Visit the Dalad Photovoltaic Leader Base, where millions of solar panels double as sand-fixation barriers—a marvel of new energy and ecological restoration. From the viewing platform, take in the "Junma" solar power station, the world's largest solar panel-shaped array, spread across the desert like a silver sea.
From $0.00
Adult $0.00 · Child $0.00 · Infant $0.00
Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The desert involves moderate walking on sand. Camera protection recommended from blowing sand.
Travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned private vehicle with an experienced non-smoking driver. The clean, well-maintained car ensures a smooth ride across the desert roads to Xiangshawan, with bottled water available on board.
Late-Model Vehicles (2022+)
All vehicles are 2022 or newer models — modern, safe, and meticulously maintained.
Daily Deep Cleaning
Every vehicle is sanitized and detailed before each use.
Professional Drivers
Licensed, uniformed drivers with 5+ years of tourist transport experience.
Full Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive commercial insurance for all vehicles and passengers.
Onboard Amenities
Complimentary water, Wi-Fi, phone chargers, and tissues on every ride.
Climate Comfort
Dual-zone climate control ensures perfect temperature year-round.
We usually arrange a 5-seater for 1–2 guests, a 7-seater for 3–5 guests, and a 12-seater for 6–9 guests, and so on. All vehicles have ample luggage space. Photos are for reference only. Vehicle brands and models may vary by destination.
Have a specific restaurant or dietary need in mind? Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, and other requests can be accommodated with advance notice.
Heritage Restaurants
Historic establishments with decades of culinary tradition — where locals celebrate.
Local Family Kitchens
Home-cooked meals with local families — authentic recipes passed down generations.
Street Food & Night Markets
Guided tastings through iconic food streets with a local foodie guide.
Farm-to-Table Fresh
Seasonal dishes with ingredients grown on-site, set against scenic backdrops.
Fine Dining & Michelin
Award-winning restaurants with tasting menus, wine pairings, and unforgettable culinary artistry.
Dining Preferences & Dietary Requirements
Share dietary needs, restaurant preferences, or food interests before travel so the advisor can confirm practical arrangements.
Your seasoned English-speaking guide knows the Kubuqi Desert inside out. They adjust the pace to your comfort, share fascinating stories about desert ecology and Mongolian culture, and recommend the best photo spots along the way.
Licensed & Certified Guides
All guides hold national tourism licenses and have 5+ years of experience.
English Proficiency (IELTS 7+)
Fluent communication — guides can discuss history, culture, and current events with ease.
Multi-Language Available
English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean-speaking guides available on request.
Wireless Audio Headsets
Every guest receives a headset so you never miss a word, even in crowded sites.
No Forced Shopping Guarantee
Zero pressure — we never force you into souvenir shops. Your time is yours.
Local Shopping Recommendations
Want authentic gifts? We'll recommend trusted local markets and artisan shops — no tourist traps.
Our “No Forced Shopping” Promise
We guarantee zero shopping stops unless you specifically request them. If you ever feel pressured, contact us immediately for a full refund of that day's service.
Request a Specialist Guide
Interested in a specific topic? We can arrange historian guides for cultural sites, photographer guides for scenic spots, or foodie guides for culinary tours. Just let us know when booking.
Current traveler feedback should be read through the configured external review sources.
Tripadvisor Reviews
Public traveler feedback
Product pages use external review sources instead of manually maintained review cards. Open the official Tripadvisor profile to read current customer feedback.
Selected Tripadvisor reviews
United Kingdom · Grand China rail journey
“Standing on the Great Wall at sunrise with no other tourists in sight was the highlight of our China tour. The guide arranged a home-cooked lunch in a Beijing hutong with a family who had lived there for generations.”
Italy · Ancient capitals and Hangzhou
“We picked tea leaves with a family whose ancestors farmed Longjing for generations. The tea ceremony that followed was the most memorable moment of our China trip.”
United States · Classic China private tour
“Every guide felt like a friend who happened to know thousands of years of stories. The quiet Forbidden City experience was something we will never forget.”
The best season is May through October when temperatures are warmest and the desert is most accessible. Summer (June–August) offers the fullest range of activities including sand sliding and camel treks. Spring and autumn provide milder weather with fewer crowds. Winter visits are possible but some outdoor activities may be limited by cold winds.
Wear loose, breathable clothing and high-top shoes or sand covers, as sand gets everywhere. Bring strong sun protection like sunscreen and sunglasses, plus a light jacket for the temperature drop after sunset.
Desert activities are generally optional and can be adjusted to your comfort level. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and follow your guide's safety instructions for any desert entertainment. Avoid going too far from the main area alone.
Mobile signal can be weak or unavailable in remote desert areas, so download offline maps beforehand. Bring enough RMB cash for local vendors, as foreign credit cards and foreign-linked mobile payments are rarely accepted.
Always carry your original passport, as local police or scenic area staff may conduct spot checks. When interacting with local Mongolian culture, avoid stepping on thresholds, and accept tea or drinks with both hands as a sign of respect.
Hailar → Snowland → Arxan → Hulun Lake → Manzhouli→Hailar
THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE
Fall asleep in a traditional Mongolian ger surrounded by snow-covered grassland. Wake to horses grazing outside and a sky full of fading stars as dawn breaks over the Hulunbuir plain.
Sink into mineral-rich hot springs while snow piles high around you. Feel the volcanic warmth against your skin as steam rises through the frozen Arxan forest.
Advisor-designed quote
Hailar → Ergun → Shiwei → Moerdoga → Manzhouli → Arxan → Xilinhot → Hohhot → Ordos → Badain Jaran Desert → Ejin Banner → Wuhai
THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE
Spend a morning galloping across the open steppe with Mongol herdsmen, then share milk tea in a traditional yurt camp.
Unwind in mineral-rich thermal pools surrounded by volcanic rock and birch trees, with trails along the unfrozen winter river.
Advisor-designed quote
Wuhai → Alxa Left Banner → Badain Jaran Desert → Ejin Banner → Wuhai
THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE
Climb Bilutu Peak and feel the sand hum beneath your feet as you gaze across endless golden dunes stretching to the horizon.
Find turquoise pools nestled between massive dunes at Badain Jaran, where freshwater springs defy the desert and monks tend a lakeside monastery.
Advisor-designed quote
Baotou →Saihan Tala Urban Grassland → Baotou Museum→Wudang Lamasery
THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE
Stroll through this unique urban grassland, located within Baotou City. Four thousand acres of grasslands, lakes, and wetlands are surrounded by the city skyline.
Trace the history of this region from the Xiongnu to the Mongol Empire, with exhibits including bronze weapons, horse tack, and artifacts of grassland civilization.
Preset private route
