Alxa (Alashan) Travel Guide
Alxa Facts
Chinese Name: 阿拉善 (ā lā shàn)
Population: 250,700
Area: 270,000 square kilometers (104,248 square miles)
Location: in the west of Inner Mongolia, north China
Administrative Division: 3 Banners (Alashan Left Qi, Alashan Right Qi, Ejina Qi)
Area Code: 0483
Zip Code: 750306
GDP (2019): CNY 29.53 billion (USD 4.28 billion)
Nationalities: Mongol, Han, Hui, Man
Highlighting Brightly Golden Populus Euphratica Forest
Alxa, also Alashan, is a prefecture in the westernmost end of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region and neighbors Jiuquan, Zhangye and Wuwei in Gansu Province to the west. It is separated from Ningxia by Helan Mountain to the east, sharing a 733.48 kilometers (456 miles) boundary with Mongolia. Bayanhot is the administrative center. The Alxa tourism gives prominence to unique desert scenery, magnificent Gobi spectacle, splendid Ejina populus euphratica forest and bold Mongolian customs. The best time to visit Alxa is October when the populus euphratica forest becomes brightly golden and the Chinese largest automobile cross-country event organized by FBLIFE is held. This city is also the location of Dongfeng space city (Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center), one of the three largest manned space centers in the world.
Alxa Attractions - Things to Do
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| Poplar Forest National Nature Reserve, Ejina Ejina Poplar Forest Postcard |
Endowed with beautiful and colorful views, Badain Jaran desert has cragged peaks, beautiful lakes, springs and temples. In the middle area of the desert are countless sand-echoing hills. Unlike other dry deserts, Badain Jaran Desert is dotted with over 140 crystal lakes. Most of these are saltwater lakes, but there are also many pure springs.
The mountains of Badain Jaran Desert have harder surfaces than those in other deserts. This provides an opportunity to explore the desert on wheels. An unforgettable experience is to drive an off-road vehicle at high speed on the wave-like sand mountains.
Helan Mountain is the largest north-south mountain range in northwestern China.
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| Poplar Forest National Nature Reserve, Ejina |
One of the three extensive poplar forests in the world has enthralling autumn scenes beloved by numerous tourists and photographers.
Virgin Forest in Helan Mountain
Moon Lake in Tengger Desert
How to Get to/around Alxa
Weather
When to Go: Summer is the best time to explore the scenic spots of Alxa around Helan Mountain, while the poplar forest in Ejiana Qi tinged with autumn red is also fascinating.Note: Apart from the tourist necessities, such as sunglasses, sunblock, and clothes with long sleeves, visitors should also pay attention that not to shelter from the wind behind the lee slope of a dune. The correct action is to stand in front the dune behind camels.
Alxa Travel Tips
Physical Features: Alxa is situated on the Inner Mongolian Plateau having an average altitude of 1000-1400 meters (3281-4593 feet) with its topography inclining from the higher north to the lower south. The Gobi Desert and desert grassland comprise the main landscape of this area.
History: Historically, Alxa was a beautiful place with many mellow waters and grass although there are many deserts in this area too. It has been shielded for hundreds of years from sparseness by the forests in Helan Mountain, Heihe River and oases. In the 17th Century, a tribe of Mongolians, the Tuerhute, after much difficulty contrived to come back and settle in this area from Volga River region. From then on, Alashan was inhabited over generations.
Special Local Products: cashmere, camel hair, curious stone carvings