Gobi Desert, Inner Mongolia, China

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In October 2012, Becky and I landed in Ningxia Autonomous Region and traveled to Zuoqi, Inner Mongolia to find the Gobi Desert. The area is absolutely superb with rocky deserts, isolated temples, sand dunes, salty lakes, camels, sheep everywhere (amazing meat for every meal!). We then rode a bus for 15 hours north to Ejina Qi, at the border with Mongolia to hike around a desert of poplar trees. In the Fall colors were dazzling! Herds of tourists had invaded the area (national holidays) but it didn't prevent us from finding quiet places off the beaten path. We also reached Youqi and got a 4-wheel drive for a couple of days to explore the spectacular Badain Jaran Desert: one of the most amazing places I have ever seen in my life. The desert allows me to use all my favorite English words to describe it: stunning, picturesque, peaceful, stupendous, spectacular, impressive, out of this world! We climbed what apparently are the highest sand dunes in the world (a tedious walk with our feet buried in sand the whole way of course) and watched the sunset in peace. It was simply magical! Finally we ended out trip at Yinchuan, Ningxia, visiting the caves of Shuidonggou (Old Stone Age, prehistoric site) and Can Bin Dong Fort (700 years ago) and the Great Wall (fortifications built by the Han to defend the settler-farmers against invaders from the north). I hope you enjoy the pictures.

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Photos

At the Badain Jaren Desert
I hope this picture entices your curiosity

At Ejina Qi, not far from the border with Mongolia
It's quite a spectacle in the Fall

Guang Zong Temple
in the surroundings of Zuoqi, Inner Mongolia

Above Inner Mongolia
Entering the desert

Guang Zong Temple, Zuoqi
A Tibetan Buddhism temple in Inner Mongolia

Guang Zong Temple, Zuoqi
Beautifully remote

Guang Zong Temple, Zuoqi
Inner Mongolia Tibetan Buddhism

Using solar energy to heat up water
Around Zuoqi, Inner Mongolia

Comments

[D MJ Binkley]

Yes we want to follow your journey.
The path you have chosen to bike sounds fascinating. I do hope you will write more about your experiences. Can't wait for the next blog.

[Jeremyaroundtheworld]

More coming soon!
i will try to share my experience as well as more pics of China. Have you been?