Camel caravans
On the dunes.
Nyx Ning — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Popolon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · 天王星 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Nyx Ning — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Muzzleflash — CC0 · Nyx Ning — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Nyx Ning — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Popolon — CC BY-SA 4.0
A desert resort on the eastern edge of the Kubuqi Desert, roughly halfway between Baotou and Ordos city inside the great northern bend of the Yellow River; it was China's first desert resort and is rated 5A. Its name means «ringing sand bay», because its tall dunes give off a hum or roar when people slide down them in dry weather. Visitors cross the valley to the dunes by cable car, then ride camels in caravans, huge desert vehicles and a small train through the sand, slide down the dunes and watch shows of Mongolian culture in the white-domed Nomad Theatre, with the activities spread over several «islands» in the sea of sand. The basic ticket costs about CNY 120, including entry and transfers inside the area, island tickets with the cable car about 260 and an all-in ticket about 380, and it is open from 8 am to 7 pm with last entry at 5.30 pm, per visitor guides. Bring sunglasses and a hat.
On the dunes.
To the sea of sand.
On the singing dunes.
Dalad Banner, between Baotou and Ordos city, Inner Mongolia
From May to October; summer is the liveliest season but hot at midday, so start early or come in the late afternoon, and winters in Inner Mongolia are very cold.
Mutton is everywhere in Inner Mongolian cooking but is not necessarily halal, so look in Baotou or Ordos for restaurants run by Hui Muslims under the halal sign.