China Taps Tourism Potential of Northwestern Deser

China is set to transform a northwestern desert into an international tourism destination after the signing of a cooperation framework. At least 2 billion yuan (329.8 million U.S. dollars) will be invested over the next five years to help develop Shapotou, a vast desert area of Tengger Desert in Zhongwei City of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Shapotou is blessed with vast and mysterious desert, only 20 kilimeters aways from Zhongwei county. It is characterized by a cliff-like sand dune aabout 70 meters in height and 200 meters in width. Travellers may venture into the Tengger Desert by riding camels, or raft the Yellow River aboard sheepskin dinghies.

The money will be spent on constructing tourist service centers, business districts, themed hotels as well as restaurants, according to the framework signed by the local government and the China National Travel Service (HK) Group Corporation (HKCTS), the country's largest travel group.

As a result, travelling to the ancient Silk Road in Ningxia would be more popular. Ningxia is on the Northern Route of ancient Silk Road, which starts in Shaanxi, runs through Pingliang in Gansu and enters South Ningxia before it joins the main road in Wuwei and Gansu. Besides Shapotou, there are many ancient relics/sites worth a visit in Ningxia, namely Western Xia Imperial Tombs, One Hundred and Eight Pagodas, Helan Mountain and so on.