Kumtag Desert is located at the east edge of Turpan Basin in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to the south of Shanshan County. It is the only desert connected with cities in the world and the third largest desert in China. It is famous for its unique landscape of "sand does not advance, green does not retreat, and people do not move", and is a desert tourist destination that integrates scientific research, exploration, photography, and sand sports.
Unique Landscape
Sand does not advance, green does not retreat
This is the most magical place in the Kumtag Desert. For thousands of years, the desert and oasis (Shanshan County) have coexisted harmoniously, separated only by a road and a river. The desert has never moved northward to bury cities, nor have cities expanded southward to encroach on the desert. This peculiar balance is due to the unique wind direction and terrain of the area, as well as people's protection of the environment.
Golden Dunes
The sand in the desert is golden yellow, pure and delicate. The sand dunes have clear contours and distinct layers, displaying wave like soft lines under the sunlight. Especially at sunrise and sunset, the light and shadow change, and the sand dunes are dyed golden red, which has a strong visual impact.
Symphony of Sand Mountain and Oasis
Standing on the sandy mountain, looking north, is the county town of Shanshan, where green trees provide shade and smoke lingers from cooking; Looking south, there is a continuous and endless sea of sand. This strong contrast creates a unique scenery.
Desert off-road
Surfer ride: Take a professional desert off-road vehicle and experience the excitement of a "desert roller coaster" by undulating and diving at high speeds between sand dunes.
Self driving motorcycle: Drive a four-wheel desert motorcycle and freely gallop in the sandy sea.
Sandboarding
Rent a skateboard and slide down from a high point on the sandy mountain, feeling the thrill of the wind whistling past your ears. Sliding sand requires some skills, but it's very fun.
Ride a camel
Riding on a tall camel, walking slowly along the sandy ridge in the tinkling sound of camel bells, as if crossing back to the ancient Silk Road.
Photography
Sunrise and sunset: The sand dune lines under golden light are the most beautiful, making it the golden time for photography.
Starry Sky: The desert is far away from light pollution, and the starry sky shines brightly at night, making it an excellent place to capture the Milky Way.
Portrait: With continuous sand dunes as the background, it is possible to take extremely large portrait photos.
Desert camping
Camping deep in the desert, sitting around a campfire at night, admiring the dazzling starry sky, and waking up in the morning with the magnificent sunrise over the sandy sea, is a very unforgettable experience.
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Voltage and socket
The standard voltage in China is 220V. The commonly used socket shape is as shown in the picture. Most luxury hotel rooms are equipped with universal sockets, and tourists can also rent socket adapters at the hotel front desk.
Make a phone call
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese fixed-line phone in China, it is necessary to dial the China area code (+86) and the city area code (e.g. Beijing +10) before the fixed-line phone number to be dialed.
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese mobile number, it is necessary to dial the Chinese area code (+86) before the mobile number of the person being called.
Emergency call:
Call the police: 110
Fire emergency: 119
Traffic police: 122
Emergency: 120
Purchase a SIM card for a Chinese mobile phone
At major airports serving as ports of entry in China, there are designated counters for communication service providers, such as China Mobile and China Unicom. Foreign tourists can purchase SIM cards for Chinese mobile phones simply by presenting their passports.
Traffic safety tips
In China, all vehicles drive on the right side of the road, and both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.
Health and medical tips
It is recommended to bring along commonly used medications (such as painkillers or gastrointestinal medications). If you need to take prescribed medication for an extended period, it is advisable to prepare sufficient quantities before departure and carry along doctor's certification documents, medical records, etc.
It is recommended to visit the international medical department of a general hospital or a foreign-funded hospital for treatment, as they generally provide medical services in English.
It is recommended to purchase relevant insurance before departure, and properly keep diagnosis certificates, outpatient medical records, fee lists, prescriptions, invoices, etc.
Cultural taboo
China is a multi-ethnic country, and there are significant differences in customs and habits among various ethnic groups. Especially when traveling in ethnic minority areas, it is important to pay attention to cultural taboos, such as taking off shoes when entering a Dai bamboo house, avoiding pork in Hui restaurants, and treating Buddhist statues, scriptures, and beads as sacred objects that must not be touched. It is recommended to listen carefully to the pre-trip introduction provided by the accompanying personnel and respect local culture and customs.
