Adventurers Flock to Shapotou’s Golden Dunes for Sandboarding Thrills
In the height of summer, thrill-seekers are flocking to the Shapotou Scenic Area in Zhongwei, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, to experience one of the country’s most exhilarating desert sports: sandboarding.
Located on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert, Shapotou is bathed in sunlight as riders carve their way down golden dunes over 80 meters high. The serene desert transforms into an adrenaline-fueled playground as sandboarders leave long trails in their wake, descending slopes that stretch nearly 200 meters—the longest natural sandboarding slope in China.
What makes Shapotou truly unique is its steep inclines and the deep, resonant sounds produced when sliding down the dunes, adding an unforgettable auditory experience to the thrill.
But sandboarding is just the beginning. Shapotou offers a rare convergence of natural landscapes where desert meets river, mountains, and oasis. Dubbed the “National Desert Tourism Base,” it’s a hub for adventure activities like camel rides, desert off-roading, camping under the stars, and drifting down the Yellow River on traditional sheepskin rafts.
To make the sandy ascents a breeze, the area is equipped with desert escalators and cable cars. As China’s first national-level desert resort, Shapotou continues to attract tourists from across the nation and beyond. By blending Yellow River culture with desert tourism, it has become a premier destination for those looking to experience some of China’s most dramatic landscapes.
