Tengger Five Lakes Crossing Travel Guide
【Introduction】 Stop focusing solely on Shapotou! The real treasure of Ningxia is the Five Lakes Trek deep in the Tengger Desert ✨ Hidden in Alxa Left Banner, about a 2-hour drive from Yinchuan, this desert paradise comprises five lakes, including Swan Lake, Ulan Lake, and Camel Lake. Free from excessive commercialization, it offers breathtaking views of the sand dunes embracing the lakes, earning it the nickname "Earth's Palette" from netizens. A paradise for off-road enthusiasts, every snapshot is a stunning, unfiltered masterpiece. Even beginners can easily capture stunning photos, making it a truly therapeutic journey worth making a special trip for.
⛺【Must-Visit Spots】
- Ulan Lake (Heart of the Earth): The highlight of the Five Lakes! From July to September, the lake water is a vibrant red, like a heart, with clearly defined textures. Its true grandeur can only be appreciated from a drone's perspective. The color is most vibrant under the midday sun, guaranteeing 100% photo quality against the desert backdrop. Some reputable small tours offer free drone photography services.
- Camel Lake (Pink Lake): A pink lake with a built-in dream filter, its color changing with the seasons, best viewed from June to October. The visible pink hues are incredibly soothing. No need for drones; simply get close to the lake to capture the reflection. Wearing a white/black long dress creates a striking contrast, easily resulting in stunning, girly photos.
- Swan Lake: An oasis in the desert, lush with reeds. From March to November, migratory birds often inhabit this area, and you can also see herds of camels grazing freely. Every snapshot is a forest-like, healing moment, perfect for quiet contemplation and experiencing the collision of desert and life.
- Hailuqi Lake + Guitar Lake: Hailuqi Lake is surrounded by sand dunes, resembling a natural ink painting. You can sandboard and see cattle and sheep. Guitar Lake, shaped like a guitar lying quietly in the sand, has water colors that change with the seasons. At sunset, the atmosphere is simply breathtaking.
- Huaiyuan Night Market (Yinchuan): A must-visit food destination after your trek. No need to search for specific shops; you can wander around without worrying about disappointment. Focus on trying Huaiyuan's signature spicy strips, roasted eggs, mutton noodles, and mutton offal soup. Enjoy a cup of eight-treasure tea to cleanse your palate and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Ningxia.
🛬【Travel Guide】
Suggested time to visit: April-May, September-October (cooler weather, fewer crowds, avoid midday heat for softer lighting); June-September (best lake colors, optimal for photos, but sun protection is essential).
Suggested duration: 2 days 1 night (compact and comfortable, allowing for an in-depth experience of the Five Lakes trek without being too tiring); 3-4 days if you want to combine it with nearby attractions.
Itinerary (2 Days 1 Night Classic Version):
- Day 1: Meeting in Yinchuan → Alxa Left Banner Desert Entrance → Five Lakes Trekking → Desert Camping/Return to Yinchuan
Morning: Depart from Yinchuan city, approximately 2 hours to the desert entrance, transfer to professional off-road vehicles (for beginners, a small group of 4-6 people is recommended for safety and peace of mind), and begin the Five Lakes Trekking.
Lunch: Enjoy a simple meal in the desert (you can bring your own food or pre-order mutton noodles from a local herder), followed by a short rest.
Afternoon: Visit the lakes in the following order: Swan Lake → Ulan Lake → Camel Lake → Hailuqi Lake → Guitar Lake. The entire trip takes 3-4 hours, with frequent stops for photos. The driver is familiar with the route and will help find the best shooting angles.
Evening: Optional: Desert camping (experience stargazing in a tent and watching the Milky Way in the desert), or return to Yinchuan city to explore Huaiyuan Night Market and enjoy local delicacies.
- Day 2: Yinchuan → Zhenbeibao Western Film Studio/Helan Mountain Rock Paintings → Return Trip
Morning: Visit Zhenbeibao Western Film Studio (filming location for "A Chinese Odyssey," rent a Zixia costume for a super immersive photo shoot), or Helan Mountain Rock Paintings (see the ancient sun god rock paintings and feel the weight of history).
Afternoon: Visit the Ningxia Museum (free) to learn about the Western Xia and Hui cultures. If time permits, visit a winery on the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain for wine tasting and to buy goji berries and wine as souvenirs. Depart according to your return trip schedule.
🏨【Accommodation Guide】
- Yinchuan City (Value for Money): Prioritize Xingqing District or Jinfeng District. Convenient transportation and a wide selection of hotels, from budget to star-rated hotels, suitable for travelers with a moderate budget who prioritize convenience. Recommended: Yinchuan Jinfeng Wanda Meihua Hotel (close to shopping districts, convenient transportation, high value for money), Yinchuan Hyatt Place Hotel (comfortable environment, rich breakfast, suitable for family travel).
- Desert Camping (Experience-Focused): Suitable for tourists seeking niche experiences and wanting to take stunning photos of the starry sky. Recommended is a professional camping base near Swan Lake, offering yurts and stargazing tents, complete with toilets and hot water. Some campsites also organize bonfire parties and stargazing classes. The Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye at night, creating a truly immersive atmosphere [2][6]. Note: Confirm campsite facilities in advance and avoid low-priced, unreliable campsites.
- Zhongwei Yellow River Hostel (Popular Spot): If you're planning a trip to Zhongwei, consider the Yellow River Hostel, the filming location of "Dear Inn 3." It features 11 designer guesthouses overlooking the Yellow River, with Shapotou on the opposite bank. Suitable for tourists who enjoy photography and seeking a luxurious wilderness experience, it also offers activities like pottery making and fruit picking [6].
🧡[Tips]
- Transportation: A professional off-road vehicle is required for the Five Lakes Crossing. Ordinary vehicles are prone to getting stuck in the sand. Find a reputable car fleet or travel agency in advance to confirm the driver's familiarity with the route and avoid low-priced tours that omit lesser-known lakes or force you to spend money [4]. - Sun and wind protection: The desert has extremely strong ultraviolet radiation, so be sure to bring sunscreen (SPF50+), a sun hat, sunglasses, and a windproof face towel. Wear long sleeves and pants to avoid sunburn and sandstorms [4].
- Essential items: Motion sickness medicine (the desert roads are bumpy and prone to motion sickness), wet wipes (the lake water is high in salt and can cause itching), portable snacks and drinking water (there are no supply points along the way), power bank (there are no sockets), and you can bring your own drone if you want to take great photos.
- Tips for taking great photos: Wear solid-colored clothing such as white, black, and red to create a strong contrast with the desert and lake water; Ulan Lake is suitable for aerial photography, Camel Lake is suitable for shooting reflections with the light, and the best atmosphere is for shooting the desert sunset and Guitar Lake in the evening [4].
- Other: There are basically no proper toilets around the lake, and the dry toilets are in poor condition. It is recommended to drink less water or take a toilet in advance; the weather affects the scenery, and the lake water is dark on cloudy days, so try to choose a sunny day to travel [4]; respect local customs, do not trample on desert vegetation, and do not litter. Ulan Lake
Ningxia Ningyou Travel Agency