Golden Sand Bell

Located in Zhongwei County. Benefiting from the Yellow River, Zhongwei is a major scenic destination in Ningxia, home to the Ming Dynasty’s High Temple that blends Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, ancient Yellow River waterwheels, ruins of the Ming Great Wall, and the popular “Golden Sand Bell Tourist Area.” The “Golden Sand Bell” is 39 kilometers from Zhongwei County, situated on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert. The world-renowned “Shapotou Sand Control Station” (affiliated with the Lanzhou Desert Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences) is located here. Shapotou is globally acclaimed for its outstanding achievements in sand control and is also famed worldwide for its unique natural landscapes. To the south lie the surging Yellow River and the majestic Xiangyan Mountains, with remnants of the Ming Great Wall still faintly visible; to the north, the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway winds through the desert, flanked by verdant sandy ridges. Beneath the desert wonder known as the “Golden Sand Bell,” lush gardens burst with vibrant colors. After enjoying the sights, visitors can ride camels into the desert or take a traditional Yellow River boat—the sheepskin raft—for a delightful float along the river.