The Kalasu Taklamakan Desert

The Kalasu Taklamakan Desert

The Kalasu Taklamakan Desert is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a cultural tourism site.

“You won’t know how vast our country is until you visit Xinjiang; you won’t know how magnificent the west is until you come to the Shache Kalasu Tourist Area.”

As a national A-level scenic area, the Shache Kalasu Taklamakan Tourist Scenic Area is located 28 kilometers east of Shache County, under the jurisdiction of Kalasu Township. It borders the Taklamakan Desert to the east, adjacent to Yecheng County and Maigaiti County, neighbors Jianggulesi Township of Yecheng County to the south, borders Yigai’erqi Town to the west, and adjoins Baghawati Township to the north. It stretches 67 kilometers from east to west and 40 kilometers from north to south, covering a total area of 508.3 square kilometers.

This scenic area is a product of nature formed over thousands of years — an endless expanse of vast desert. The desert landscape is unique, with boundless dunes extending infinitely in wavelike patterns. The sand hills resemble terraced mountains, creating a stunningly beautiful sight that is perfect for exploring the desert interior on camelback. The sunrise and sunset views are especially breathtaking. Though different from the sunrise over the sea, it surpasses it — this is the sunrise over the boundless sea of sand. Though not the same as the sunset over high mountains, it rivals it — this is the sunset over the undulating, flowing dunes, which is truly captivating. If you venture deep into the scorching heart of the desert, you might also chance upon a “mirage,” formed by light refracting through layers of air with varying densities. At such moments, lying in the sand can even allow you to enjoy a “sand therapy,” which is said to help treat skin diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, vitiligo, cervical spondylosis, and more.