Atlas of China
Shapotou 沙坡头Shāpōtóu
Where the dunes of the Tengger Desert tumble down to the Yellow River
- Best time
- May–Oct
- Time needed
- 1 day
- Days to budget
- 1 day
- Stay in
- Zhongwei
- Region
- Ningxia
- Type
- Nature
- Listed as
- 5A scenic area
Why go to Shapotou
On the edge of Zhongwei, the dunes of the Tengger Desert slide right down to the banks of the Yellow River at Shapotou. It's a playground for all ages: zip-line across the river, ride a camel along the dune crests, sled down the sand or drift downstream on a traditional sheepskin raft.
The story
When the Baotou–Lanzhou railway was pushed across these dunes in the 1950s, engineers held back the sand with a checkerboard of straw squares pressed into the surface. The cheap, ingenious technique still protects the line and has since been used in desert-control projects well beyond China.
What to see at Shapotou
- Big dune sand slide 沙坡头滑沙: The great dune above the river is the place to sandboard or slide, with boards provided at the scenic area. Sliding depends on the weather.
- Sheepskin rafts 羊皮筏: A traditional Yellow River craft of inflated sheep hides, once the main way across the water. A raft carries a few passengers and the boatman often tells the story as you drift.
- Straw grids 草方格: Chequerboards of straw pinned into the sand to hold the dunes in place, a feature of the desert-control work for which Shapotou is known.
- Yellow River cableway and zip line 黄河索道与飞索: A cableway and a high zip line cross the Yellow River, a quick way to get between the river side and the dunes. Camel rides along the dune crests are the other staple.
How to visit Shapotou
The scenic area has a river zone (the big dune slide, sheepskin rafts, zip line) and a desert zone with camels and off-road rides, linked by transport or by camel. Start with the big dune for views and sliding, then pick a river activity: a sheepskin raft, or speedboat upstream and raft back. A half-day covers the river zone; add the desert zone or stay overnight for the stars. Avoid public holidays, when queues build.
How to get to Shapotou
Shapotou is about 20 km west of Zhongwei, half an hour by taxi or bus; Zhongwei is roughly an hour from Yinchuan by high-speed train.
Where to stay
Zhongwei, about 20 km away, has the hotels and restaurants; desert camps near the scenic area suit a night under the stars.
What to eat
- Wormwood noodles 蒿子面: A local noodle dish made with wormwood-flavoured dough, a popular breakfast in Zhongwei.
- Yellow River carp 黄河鲤鱼: Carp from the river, served braised or stewed in Zhongwei restaurants.
Tips for visiting Shapotou
- Activities are paid for individually, so pick a few favourites rather than trying everything.
- Spend a night at one of the desert camps nearby to see the stars.
- Bring sunglasses and a scarf against blowing sand.
Nearby
Also within 30 km: Tengger Desert Wetland – Jinsha Island 腾格里沙漠湿地·金沙岛 (10 km), Gao Temple, Zhongwei 中卫高庙 (20 km), Tonghu Grassland 通湖草原 (30 km).
On the map
Open Shapotou on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.
Open Shapotou on the map