Close to the Yellow RiverYangtze River tourand in southeast border of Tengger Desert, Shapotou is located in 20 kilometers west of Zhongwei City, about 200 kilometers from Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It is famous for its desert ecological management and incredible scenery. Reputed as one of the most beautiful deserts in China, Shapotou emerges Tengger desert scenery, Yellow River, mountain and oasis as a whole.
Main Sceneries of Shapotou

Shapotou tourist area is separated as two by the railway line from Baotou (Inner Mongolia) to Lanzhou (Gansu Province). The south is close to the Yellow River for water activities, like Yellow River drifting, slide rope flying across Yellow River etc. The north is bound by Tengger Desert for activities like desert driving, riding a camel to stroll around the desert and appreciating the beautiful sceneries of sunrise and sunset and so on.

Sand Slide

Shapotou is China’s largest natural sand slide fieldChina travel servicewith the length of 800 meters and is one of the four sounding sands in China. Sand slide is a big feature in Shapotou tourist area. Sliding down from the top with the height of one hundred meters, humming sound is like the echo of tolling bell in your ears, and it is called as “Golden Sand Tolling Bell”.
Ancient Waterwheel Relics

Ancient waterwheel is the symbol of the Yellow River culture. There are some waterwheel relics situated beside the river bend of Double Lions Mountain. These were built in the later period of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.), and it is the oldest waterwheel in China. At the foot of Double Lions Mountain is the cradleland of Yellow River waterwheel, and here is also the place to take Yellow River drifting.
Sheepskin Raft

Paddling a sheepskin raft drifting on Yellow RiverChina travel dealsis an enjoyment. Sheepskin raft is an ancient tool to cross the Yellow River, which is made of whole sheepskin with cutting off head and hoof of goat, and then tiles closely and blows it to bulge. The raft is composed of 14 whole sheepskins, but it is light and portable generally.
Miracle of Preventing Desertification

The railway line from Baotou to Lanzhou is the main artery of northwest of China railway traffic, and it is the first railway to build on the desert area in China. It crosses through the desert for six times within border of Zhongwei City, and the slope in Shapotou is steep most, and sand storm is fierce. There are protecting wire nets with green sand plant on both sides of 55 kilometers railway line, which is like green Great Wall to keep the operation safety of the train and to prevent desertification. Desert Prevention achievement shocks the world, which is praised as “World’s Miracle in Preventing Desertification History”.

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