Rush before the high-speed rail opens! Wuhai, this hidden gem of Northwest China, is breathtakingly beautiful with its coexistence of desert and sea

Who would have thought! This year’s discovered treasure, the underrated small city—Wuhai✨, the smallest city in Inner Mongolia, hides the most magical scenery in the Northwest. Few people, stunning views, and not crowded at all, it’s seriously underestimated! The deep blue lake collides with endless yellow sand🏜️, at the end of the sand-crossing road lies the illusory "mirage," a wonder where desert, lake, and city frame together. Every snapshot is a wallpaper without filters. Tired of crowded popular spots? Come to this small city to unlock the slow-paced Northwest romance~ ✅ 2025 latest check-in guide, avoid pitfalls and no regrets! 1️⃣ Wuhai Lake | The mutual embrace of sand and sea🌊 Nourished by the Yellow River, the "Little Jiangnan of the North," with 118 square kilometers of lake seamlessly connected to the desert. The famous dead tree from the movie "Wuhai" is hidden here🌿! Highlights: Free admission, unlock two routes—lake sightseeing tour and sand-sea experience tour. Thrilling speedboat surfing and desert sandboarding (free board rental, 100 RMB deposit) Check-in Tips: Best light for shooting the dead tree before 9 AM, stay after 4 PM for sunset, wear bright clothes for stunning photos lying on the sand-crossing road Practical info: Navigate to "Wuhai Lake Pier No.1," boat rides charged separately (large boat 98 RMB/person, speedboat 128 RMB/person), recommended 169 RMB trendy small loop ticket (vintage tram + sand-crossing vehicle + bamboo raft) Hidden gem: Must-try catfish stewed with eggplant at the Yellow River fishing village by the lake, the fish is so tender chopsticks can’t hold it~ 2️⃣ Western Dream Canyon | Enter the surface of Mars🌄 The filming location of "Jade Bone Remote" lives up to its name! The Danxia and Yadan landforms in red, yellow, and gray look like the seven-colored divine mountains carved by time. Every step inside is a scenic view. Highlights: The 5-km-long canyon hides a sky crack and honeycomb rocks. At sunset, the mountain glows with flowing colors, every shot looks like a Western blockbuster. Check-in Tips: The essence is the Dream Canyon straight ahead at the entrance. Wear solid colors for maximum contrast in photos. Bring a strong flashlight to see the sacred water cave paintings clearly. Practical info: 2-hour self-drive from Wuhai, vehicle entry fee 10 RMB, tickets start at 30 RMB (70 RMB combo ticket includes four major attractions), sightseeing bus 10 RMB one way (walk if you have good stamina) 🚗 2025 latest transportation guide ✈️ Major transport: Wuhai Airport has limited flights; recommended to fly directly to Yinchuan Hedong Airport, rent a car and drive 2.5 hours straight to Wuhai, the highway scenery is amazing; also possible to transfer via Beijing/Hohhot to Wuhai 🚙 City transport: Attractions are far apart, renting a car is most convenient (about 300 RMB/day). New fast charging stations added in the city and scenic spots, friendly for new energy vehicles. ⚠️ Note: Wuhai has large temperature differences between morning and night, desert UV is very strong, sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are essential; during peak season, Wuhai Lake boat tickets must be purchased in advance via the "Wuhai Cultural Tourism Group Smart Tourism Cloud Platform." Wuhai is like Zhangye in 2020; prices will likely rise after the high-speed rail opens! Take advantage of the current low crowds and beautiful scenery, quickly plan your annual leave, and pack the desert-sea, Danxia, and Milky Way all in one trip~