Western Fantasy Canyon is located within Aolunbulage Town in Alxa Left Banner. Aolunbulage Town is just over 60 kilometers away from Dengkou County in Bayannur City via a gravel road, and about 300 kilometers from Bayanhot. The road conditions are good, with several sumu towns along the way, so finding food and lodging is not a problem. It is an ideal destination for travelers with cars who wish to explore the desert independently. …
The North Temple is located in Muren Gaole Sumu in the central foothills of the Helan Mountains, within Alxa Left Banner, on the south side of the Wuba Highway, approximately 25 kilometers from Bayanhot Town. The North Temple was established after the son of the Alxa King converted to Buddhism under the Sixth Panchen Lama. Originally named “Zhunhaidi,” it was built in the ninth year of the Jiaqing reign during the Qing Dynasty (1804). In the eleventh year of Jiaqing (1806), the...
The Mirage in the Gobi is located in the southwestern part of Alxa Left Banner, Alxa League, and the central part of Gansu Province — the very "mirage" or "Fata Morgana" often sought after in the Gobi Desert, known in Mongolian as "Zhergelegeng." It offers visitors the chance to witness unexpectedly marvelous and surreal landscapes. …
Dingyuan Camp is located on Wangfu Lane in Alxa Left Banner (Bayanhot Town), the seat of the Alxa League government in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. In the 25th year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1686), Heshuoer, the grandson of Gushri Khan of the Mongolian ethnic group, submitted to the Qing government. Later, he made meritorious contributions in military campaigns in Qinghai and Tibet, was granted the hereditary title of prince, and his garrison was designated as Dingyuan Camp (present-day Bayanhot).…
Alxa Yellow River National Wetland Park is located along the Yellow River section at Jiudianwan in the Alxa Economic Development Zone. It borders the Yellow River to the east, the central area of the development zone to the west, Ningxia to the south, and the Yellow River section in Wuhai to the north, forming a long, narrow belt-shaped area. The park site covers an area of approximately 400 hectares, with an estimated total investment of about 700 million yuan. The construction period spans from 2009 to …
In 1992, with the approval of the People's Government of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the "Qidaoqiao Populus Euphratica Forest Nature Reserve in Ejin Banner" was established. It was renamed the "Ejin Banner Populus Euphratica Forest Nature Reserve" in 1999. On January 28, 2003, with the approval of the State Council, the Ejin Banner Populus Euphratica Forest Nature Reserve was elevated to a national-level nature...
Mountains Like the Sea – The Mysterious Stone Forest of Habucigei (Divine Stone Valley) We set off for the “Divine Stone Valley” in Nuoergong with a group of sincere and cheerful friends, lured by an enchanting and mystical call, drawn by a topic about the ghostly and ethereal nature of mountains and rocks, and driven by a long-held yearning. On that drizzly morning, we made our way together toward the Divine Stone Valley in Nuoergong. Along the way, beneath the heavy overcast sky…
Haicenshulu, Memories of Wind and Water How many wonders does Alxa have? No one can say for sure. In recent years alone, a series of new discoveries have been made: in the northern Hanwula Mountain, a "Reclining Buddha" mountain was discovered, serene in slumber, lost in an endless dream. On a cliff in the central Yabulai Mountain, a natural human head sculpture was found, with clear facial features and a lifelike expression...
Praise for Alxa Strange Stones by Zhang Xiongzhì: "Through cosmic ages, the spirit's charm condenses; by nature’s making, the soul of stones is cast." The place where the Shenzhou spacecraft ascends—China’s hidden gem, Alxa—boasts many wonders, but none more unique than its strange stones. Here lie vast deserts and boundless Gobi plains. There is a great “sea,” formed by the convergence of the Badain Jaran, Tengger, and Ulan Buh deserts along with the Gobi expanses between them... This land was indeed once a true ocean, the homeland of the sea. Geological and archaeological studies confirm that Alxa was once an immense body of water. From the late Proterozoic era over 1 billion years ago to the Mesozoic Triassic period two to three hundred million years ago, intense crustal movements, submarine volcanic eruptions, repeated land submersions, and turbulent skies... The unique geological structure and hundreds of millions of years of geological transformation have made the Alxa wilderness a colossal stone-processing factory. Under the combined internal and external forces of crustal movements, volcanic lava flows, weathering, sand abrasion, and the heat of day and cold of night, the distinctive Alxa strange stones were ultimately formed. Geological surveys indicate that dozens of types of Alxa strange stones have been discovered to date. The main varieties include: Agate stones, which are gem-grade ornamental rocks—hard as corundum, colorful as rosy clouds, smooth as crystal, dazzling as pearls, and star-like in appearance. Countless varieties exist: hibiscus agate, chicken-blood agate, egg-yolk agate, ribbon agate, tortoiseshell agate, amethyst agate, and many more. Among them, grape agate is hailed as the king of rare stones, with cascading beads and jade-like clusters resembling plump, glistening grapes—so enchanting they are hard to pick and leave one in awe. To this day, on Earth, which is 4.6 billion years old, grape agate has only been found in Alxa, earning it the well-deserved title of “rare treasure.” Turquoise stones are revered as the “queen of colored stones.” Trace metal compounds infused during their formation lend them vibrant hues: red turquoise blazing like the sun, black turquoise sinking like the moon, green turquoise heralding spring, yellow turquoise bidding farewell to autumn... The splendor of multicolored turquoise is beyond description. Desert varnish stones feature deep, rich colors, forming a “lacquer-like film” that is noble, luxurious, tough, and beautiful, resembling exquisitely crafted lacquerware refined through countless processes, as if blended with icy snow and scorching fire, infused with morning dew and evening frost. Layered wind-eroded stones vary in form with distinct stratification; even the fierce winds of the desert can interpret the Jiangnan aesthetic of leanness, translucency, openness, and wrinkled texture. “Desert rose” stones, actually crystalline mineral aggregates of gypsum and sand grains, display radiant crystal faces and clusters in full bloom, endearing them to all—"like a mute person speaking or flowers blooming from stone!" Chalcedony stones—twisted and uneven, rich in abstract meaning. Aggregate stones—angular and stark, ethereal and refined. Pyrophyllite stones—smooth as congealed fat, bright and lustrous. Amethyst stones—delicately hued, flawless, and sparkling. Petrified wood—mysterious and natural, bearing the marks of time. ... “Silent until it speaks, then it startles the world!” Alxa strange stones take the lead, rapidly influencing Shaanxi, Gansu, and Ningxia, gaining popularity in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and reaching as far as Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas. They have become renowned Chinese stones, earning praise and admiration from stone-appreciation and collecting circles both at home and abroad. The greatest characteristics of Alxa strange stones are their “Five Wonders”: **Form Wonder** – They “clone” myriad phenomena of the world, astonishingly miraculous and uniquely natural, fully showcasing the wonder of nature’s creation. Take, for example, the “Elder of Time,” a Gobi agate discovered on the northern Gobi of Alxa. This three-colored agate forms the head of an elderly woman—with black-brown hair, flesh-toned face, and black facial features. Weathered yet kind, it resembles a modern elderly woman, except it has endured over 200 million years. **Quality Wonder** – Having endured the harsh natural conditions of the desert and Gobi, only the most refined and exceptional stones remain. Hence the saying, “A thousand kinds of agate, ten thousand kinds of jade.” **Color Wonder** – Their colors seem to draw from all the hues and glosses of nature. Firstly, the inherent natural tones formed during the stones’ creation are rich yet subdued, weighty and profound. Secondly, erosion by wind and rain, and staining by frost and heat, splash color onto the stones, as if dyed by the heavens themselves. **Rarity Wonder** – Rareness makes them precious. Hard to come by and impossible to recreate, it’s common to find desert stones valued at hundreds of thousands of yuan. One agate stone named “Chick Breaking Out of the Shell” has been appraised by experts at 130 million yuan, setting a record in the stone world. **Magic Wonder** – The vastness of the desert, the openness of the Gobi, the harshness of the environment... all contribute to the unique charm of Alxa strange stones. Unadorned, they reveal a return to simplicity, harmony between heaven and humanity, and a profound unity between humans and nature. Bold and weighty, elegant yet accessible, they embody the unity of matter and spirit, the resilience forged through tribulation, the serenity in the face of fate, and the transcendent ease of nonchalance. Their broad artistic conception and deep symbolism captivate the viewer, stir the soul, and entrance the mind—dreamlike, fantastical, and infinitely charming. As the nation prospers, so too does the spirit of things shine. Alxa strange stones form bonds of affection, connecting with insightful individuals from all walks of life; Alxa strange stones build bridges, stepping onto stages at home and abroad; Alxa strange stones open windows, showcasing the new image of Alxa to the world.
The Juyan Ruins are distributed across the territory of Ejin Banner in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Jinta County in Gansu Province. The Juyan Ruins refer to a cluster of ruins including beacon towers and border walls along the frontier fortifications governed by the two commanderies of Juyan and JianShui under the Zhangye Prefecture during the Han Dynasty. The border fortifications stretch diagonally from the northeast to the southwest, covering a total length of approximately 250 kilometers. They were initially built in the third year of the Taichu era (102 BC) during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty…
When traveling to Alxa League in the westernmost part of Inner Mongolia, you can’t miss the Populus euphratica trees, and the best place to see them is in Ejin Banner. Ejin currently has 380,000 mu of Populus euphratica forest, making it one of only three remaining major Populus euphratica regions in the world—the other two being the Sahara Desert in North Africa and the Taklamakan Desert in the Tarim Basin of Xinjiang. In the Murgen Gol area…
The Forest of Strange Trees is located 28 kilometers southwest of Dalaihubu Town in Ejin Banner. It is a vast area that stretches from east to west and north to south. Here, the dead populus euphratica trees lie scattered across the land, presenting an ancient and pristine scene. An eerie, terrifying atmosphere seems to seep out from the surroundings, giving chills down one’s spine. This is the mysterious “Forest of Strange Trees.” ...
Introduction: Dongfeng Space City is located approximately 150 kilometers north of Dalaihubu Town, the seat of government of Ejin Banner in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Dongfeng Space City is the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, also known as the 20th Test and Training Base of the General Equipment Department. It gained international fame following the successful launches of "Shenzhou V" and "Shenzhou VI." …
Introduction The Black City is located about 30 kilometers southeast of Eji'naqi Banner Government Seat (Kubu Town) in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Known as Khara-Khoto in Mongolian and “Weifu Army” during the Western Xia Dynasty, it is said to be the ancient capital of the Western Xia known as Heishui City and is part of the Juyan culture. It is now a key cultural relic protection unit of the autonomous region. The Black City...
Introduction Among the 5.67 million mu of natural poplar forests in Ejin, there stands a poplar tree revered by locals as the “Divine Tree.” This “Divine Tree” is located 25 kilometers north of Dalaihubu Town, Ejin Banner. The tree stands 23 meters tall with a trunk diameter of 2.07 meters—so wide that it takes six people holding hands to encircle it—making it the king of the Ejin poplars…
During the Han Dynasty, both the Juyan and Jian Shui Commanderies were under the jurisdiction of Zhangye Prefecture. The border defense structures built at that time, including fortresses, barriers, beacon towers, watchtowers, and border walls, are now collectively referred to as the Juyan Ruins. The main fortress sites and important remains of the Juyan Ruins are all located along the lower reaches of the Ejin River in Alxa, within a 60-kilometer range. To date, one Bronze Age site, various fortress ruins from different historical periods…
Prince Tower’s Mansion is located 2 kilometers east of Dalaihubu Town and was the residence of the 12th prince, Prince Tower Jiabu. Originally built in 1938, it covers a total area of 1,900 square meters. It was damaged during the Cultural Revolution and restored in 1983. The courtyard buildings face east and are arranged in a rigorous layout with a unique architectural style and pleasant scenery. It is praised as...
Ejin River
Juyan LakeJuyan Lake is located in the northern part of Ejin Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It has a long, winding shape resembling a crescent moon. The Ejin River flows into the lake, serving as its primary source of water supply. "Juyan" is a term from the Xiongnu language, translated as "weak water flowing over sand" in the Commentary on the Water Classic. During the Han Dynasty, it was called Juyan Ze, in the Wei and Jin periods it was known as the Western...
Badain Jaran The Badain Jaran Desert spans a total area of 47,000 square kilometers, located at the border between Ejin Banner and Right Alxa Banner. It stretches east to the Bayan Ula Mountain and Yabrai Mountain, west to the Mazong Mountain, south to the North Mountain, and north to the Zongnai Mountain. It is the third largest desert in China, after the Taklamakan and Gurbantünggüt Deserts in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region...