Liuguai Shatou

Liuguai Shatou

Attraction Name: Liuguai Shatou

Address: Twenty Li Liu Zi, west of Dengkou County, Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia.

Self-driving Route: Starting from the SanShengGong Water Control Hub on the Yellow River, drive 16.5 km west along the embankment road to the Nalun Lake Diversion Sluice, pass through the sluice and continue west for about 300 meters, turn left onto an oil road, then drive south along the road for about 2 kilometers, turn left and drive east for 2 kilometers to reach the destination.

The most unique spot in the Ulan Buh Desert is none other than Liuguai Shatou — the only place where the desert and the Yellow River “shake hands.” To the left lies the desert, with undulating golden dunes; to the right is the Yellow River, dotted with swaying reeds and crisscrossing wetlands. This extraordinary sight is truly one of a kind in China.

Located at Twenty Li Liu Zi, west of Dengkou County, Liuguai Shatou sits on the eastern edge of the Ulan Buh Desert. Here, shifting sands have reached the Yellow River. Under the force of the wind, the desert continuously moves eastward, depositing massive amounts of sand into the river. As a result, the elevated riverbed is 2–3 meters higher than the town of Bayangaole, where Dengkou County is situated, forming a genuine “hanging river” within the county.

Setting off from the world-famous SanShengGong Water Control Hub on the Yellow River, drive west along the embankment road lined with golden-leaved elm trees. The river wind whistles past your ears, and the heat waves are torn apart by the breeze. On this journey, the scenery unfolds around you. After driving 16.5 km west, you’ll reach the Nalun Lake Diversion Sluice. Pass through the sluice, continue west for about 300 meters, turn left onto an oil road, then drive south along the road for about 2 kilometers. To your left, you’ll clearly see a set of vehicle tracks leading into the boundless Ulan Buh Desert. There are no formal roads here — only the footprints of countless explorers and the trails left by four-wheel-drive vehicles guide those who follow. The vehicle bounces along the uneven terrain. At first, you’ll spot sparse desert saxauls, and as you go further, they grow denser. Scattered tamarisk trees, adorned with charming fruits, sway in the wind, signaling that you’re not far from the riverbed. After driving about 2 km east, a shimmering, soft “ribbon” appears along the eastern edge of the desert. This is the magical Liuguai Shatou — the only place where the Yellow River and the desert “shake hands.”

In late 2008, Dengkou County launched a massive Liuguai Shatou management project. By constructing main sand-crossing roads, drilling combined wells, installing sand barriers, building large-scale sand-blocking forest belts, and manually planting drought-resistant desert plants such as saxaul, flower sticks, sea buckthorn, and licorice, the project effectively halted the eastward encroachment of the desert. What was once a desolate, eagle-blinding expanse of yellow sand has now become the most distinctive desert eco-tourism area in western Inner Mongolia, as well as a national geological heritage site and part of a national geopark.

Beneath your feet lie vast dunes stretching endlessly toward the western horizon, like rolling waves, showcasing the untamed, majestic aura of the “Red Bull.” Towering golden dunes spread eastward but come to a halt at the gentle embrace of the Mother River. Here, the Yellow River is remarkably calm, without a single ripple, flowing vast and boundless, so clear that it shows none of its usual “yellow” hue. Instead, it reflects the bright blue sky above. At Liuguai Shatou, the Yellow River is like a tender woman in love, while the Ulan Buh Desert is the fierce man softened by her affection. Here, they embrace tenderly, their intertwined “hands” forming the most incredible curves in the world.

The unique landscape of Liuguai Shatou draws photographers from far and wide, captivating both their bodies and souls. In winter, when the river freezes, the thousand-mile Yellow River is draped in silver, and the vast yellow sands are covered in white, presenting the majestic beauty of the north. In spring, as the ice breaks, half the river remains frozen while the other half flows with spring water, gently rippling and brushing against the desert as if trying to wake it from its winter slumber. In summer and autumn, with abundant rainfall, the Mother River reveals her lush feminine beauty, while the Ulan Buh Desert basks under the blazing sun, displaying its golden skin adorned with tender yellow winter jasmine, pale purple cistanche flowers, and fresh green spines. All year round, every day and every moment, your eyes will never tire of the beauty at Liuguai Shatou. The magnificence of the great river, the grandeur of the desert, the vastness of the skies and earth — all blend in harmony, a yin-yang symphony that plays nature’s incredibly moving melodies.

There is a popular local legend behind the origin of the name Liuguai Shatou.

In the days before bridges spanned the Yellow River, Old Dengkou was an important waterway hub for travel between Yinchuan and Baotou, while Liuguai Shatou served as a key overland stopover. In the turbulent years just before liberation, a limping Muslim man wearing a small white cap arrived at Liuguai Shatou via the waterways of Ningxia. He brought with him an orphaned girl he had rescued during the war and a dairy goat. Perhaps captivated by the area’s magical scenery or drawn by its hidden business potential, he chose to settle here alone. He salvaged driftwood from the upper reaches of the Yellow River, built several wooden houses, cultivated fields on the river beach, and even opened a halal inn. Travelers from near and far finally had a place to eat, rest, and stay. Known for his cheerful personality, warm smiles, attentive service, and willingness to help struggling travelers, his reputation grew through word of mouth. Guests fondly called him “Liu Guai Zi,” and gradually, the name “Liuguai Shatou” became widely known.

Source: Dengkou County Tourism Bureau