Xiangshawan
Xiangsha Bay, located in the Kubuqi Desert of Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, spans 24 square kilometers and is renowned for its "singing sands" - dunes that emit melodious sounds when winds blow or tourists slide down. Designated a national AAAA-level tourist attraction in 2011, it combines natural wonders with luxury desert accommodation, offering over 30 recreational activities from sandboarding to camel safaris.
Historical Overview
This desert oasis has evolved over millennia:
- 8th Century BC: Part of the ancient Silk Road trade route
- 13th Century: Used as a military training ground by Genghis Khan's forces
- 1984: First developed as a tourist site with basic facilities
- 2006: Major upgrade introducing luxury eco-resorts
- 2018: Recognized as Asia's first "Desert Eco-Tourism Demonstration Zone"
Structural Layout
The resort comprises three integrated zones:
- Adventure Core (Central Area):
- 80m-tall main singing dune (volume reaches 80dB)
- Adventure Park with zip lines and sandboarding tracks
- Cultural Zone (Eastern Area):
- Traditional Mongolian yurts with cultural performances
- Desert Science Museum showing geological formations
- Eco-Resort Cluster (Western Area):
- 120+ luxury desert villas and莲花-shaped eco-hotels
- China's largest desert spa covering 3,500㎡
Key infrastructure includes:
- Aerial tramway connecting adventure zones (1.2km length)
- Underground desert tunnel system for guided tours
Major Attractions
- Singing Sand Dune: Experience the "desert chorus" phenomenon firsthand
- Sandboarding Park: 1.5km-long slope with professional coaching
- Camel Caravan: 2-hour sunset tours with 300+ trained Bactrian camels
- Desert Starry Camp: Overnight glamping with astronomical telescopes
- Mirage Island: Artificial oasis with pool and tropical vegetation
- Aerial Adventure: 200m-high bungee jumping platform
Suggested Itineraries
-
Family Fun Day (5–6 hours):
Adventure Core Entrance → Sandboarding → Camel Ride → Mirage Island Lunch → Desert Science Museum → Sunset Caravan
Highlights: Ideal for children under 12 -
Adventure Weekend (2 Days):
Day 1: Arrival → Zip Line Adventure → Starry Camp Night
Day 2: Early Morning Hot Air Balloon → Sand Skiing → Departure -
Cultural Immersion (3 Days):
Day 1: Traditional Yurt Stay → Mongolian Archery
Day 2: Desert Spa Experience → Nomadic Cooking Class
Day 3: Guided Hiking → Local Market Visit → Farewell Banquet
Ticket Purchase
- Online: Book via Ctrip or Xiangsha Bay Official Website (up to 30 days in advance)
- On-Site: Main Ticket Office (opens 8:00 AM)
- Prices:
Comprehensive Pass: ¥380 (adults), ¥190 (students)
Basic Entry: ¥120 (adults), ¥60 (students)
Free: Children under 1.4m (with adult supervision)
Transportation
- By Air: Ordos Ejin Horo Airport (1.5-hour drive)
- By Train: High-speed rail to Ordos Station + 40-minute taxi
- By Car: 2-hour drive from Baotou City via G65 Expressway
- Shuttle Bus: Daily tours from Dongsheng District (¥80/person round-trip)
Best Time & Tips
- Optimal Visit: May–October (average 15–25°C)
- Avoid Midday: Sand temperatures exceed 60°C (140°F) at noon
- Essentials:
- Sun protection (SPF 50+ recommended)
- Dust masks for windy days
- Cash for remote yurt vendors
- Prohibited: Off-trail hiking, littering, drone flying without permit
Contact Us
What Our Clients Say?
Based on 10,000+ traveler reviews
Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
Destination(s):
Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2024
Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories.
Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
Destination(s):
Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
June 02,2025
Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic!
Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale.
For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return.
A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s):
Zhangjiajie
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2025
Q & A
Asked by Rachel Tan from Singapore | March 25,2026 22:30
We are a family of 4 planning to travel to Inner Mongolia in June 2026.
We will visit Inner Mongolia for 3 days from Beijing. We will travel to Hohhot from Beijing on Monday 15 June. Thereafter, we would like to visit Xilamuren Grassland on 16 June, and Xiangshawan Desert on 17 June. We do not want to stay in a Yurt. We are also interested in doing the following activities: horse-riding, sand boarding, ATV, zipline, camel riding. Is a personalised tour possible?
