Live Your Best Lives
There are always some things that can make people's blood boil as soon as they are recalled even after several years!
For example, climbing a snowy mountain, or going through a primitive jungle...
I say, everyone should leave at least one impulse for the desert! Every ordinary person can go to Tengger to regain their passion!
Go see the golden sand dunes undulating like waves 🏜️
Go see the pure and vast starry sky that makes people speechless🌃
Go see the animals and plants that survive in the uninhabited wilderness🌵
Go see the lake sparkling in the sun✌️
We will spend our whole lives savoring these 72 hours of true connection with the world.
As the best long-distance hiking route in China, its reputation goes without saying.
Many people are unfamiliar with the desert.
Today I worked hard to compile a list of 50 frequently asked questions about Tengger hiking
I hope this can help friends who are about to travel to answer questions. It is practical and useful information, so I recommend saving it!
①Tengger Desert is China's fourth largest desert, with a stable climate and basically no sandstorms.
② It does not require extensive outdoor experience and is very user-friendly even for beginners;
③Its film output rate is extremely high, with endless sand sea, brilliant starry sky, and mysterious lakes;
④ After more than 20 revisions and repeated polishing, our product team launched the China-TravelNote [Tengger Five Lakes Continuous Crossing] popular route, which has a reputation as high as 99.9%. Whether it is safety or comfort experience, choosing us will not disappoint your expectations.
The Tengger Desert boasts a staggering 422 lake basins, of varying sizes. Our itinerary will include five of these: Moon Lake, Sun Lake, Star Lake, Terimutu Lake, and Aobao Nortu Lake. Want to kayak? Absolutely!
There is no signal in the heart of the desert, so before we start our desert hike, we need to greet our relatives and friends in advance and explain it in advance to avoid worrying them.
At present, the Tengger hiking route is relatively mature. Team members should not act alone during the trip. They should just follow the leader's instructions along the way and avoid deciding the direction on their own.
The best time to hike in the Tengger Desert is from April to October.
Spring (April to May): The temperature gradually warms up and the weather is cool, but there is more wind and sand in spring, so you need to pay attention to wind and sand protection.
Summer (June to August): Less wind and sand, but high daytime temperatures, so take precautions against heatstroke and sunburn.
Autumn (September to October): moderate temperatures, warm but not hot during the day, cool at night, and less windy and sandy
The temperature in the Tengger Desert varies greatly from morning to night, so regardless of the season, warm clothing is essential, especially at night! Bring fleece or light down.
April-May (spring)
Temperature range: Daytime: 15°C to 25°C, nighttime: 0°C to 10°C. Bring 100-150g down jacket or equivalent.
June-August (summer)
Temperature range: about 25°C to 35°C during the day, about 10°C to 20°C at night; fleece or down under 100g or equivalent cotton clothing
September-October (autumn)
Temperature range: Daytime: 15°C to 25°C, nighttime: 5°C to 15°C. Bring down jackets weighing less than 100g or equivalent.
Sandstorms are caused by sources of sand, unstable atmospheric circulation, and strong winds. The Tengger Desert is particularly wind-free in summer and autumn, making sandstorms and other natural disasters rare. Desert hiking is recommended to avoid peak sandstorm seasons, with visits recommended between April and October.
Deserts are a wonderland! Rain is rare, with little annual precipitation. If it does rain, it's a surefire way to win a lottery! (If extreme weather conditions disrupt the itinerary, the tour leader will adjust or cancel the route promptly.)
Deserts are excellent places to view the stars and the Milky Way, especially in areas like the Tengger Desert, far from urban light pollution. Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are the best seasons for viewing, with stable weather, minimal cloud cover, and moderate night temperatures.
You can see, for example, the Perseid meteor shower, which usually appears from July 17 to August 24 each year, reaching its peak around August 13.
It is especially important to pay attention to sun protection in Tengger during the day.
Physical sun protection: Wearing breathable, light-colored long-sleeved shirts and trousers, a wide-brimmed bucket hat, and sunglasses can effectively block UV rays; Chemical sun protection: Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 50+ and reapply regularly;
Drinking water: Drink water regularly, don't wait until you're thirsty. It's recommended to drink water every 15-20 minutes. Bring some sports drinks or electrolyte effervescent tablets to replenish electrolytes lost through sweating.
Heatstroke prevention medicines: carry some heatstroke prevention medicines with you, such as Huoxiang Zhengqi water, Shidi Shui, Qingliang oil, etc.
Take breaks: Avoid walking for long periods of time. Find a place to rest every once in a while. When you rest, you can loosen your collar and cuffs to facilitate ventilation and heat dissipation.
The campsite is by the lake, the ground is flat but not sheltered from the wind, so mosquitoes are often unavoidable. You can prepare some medicated oil and floral water.
Wearing contact lenses is not recommended. The dry air in the desert can easily cause dry eyes, and wearing contact lenses may aggravate this discomfort. Furthermore, if sand and dust get into your eyes, contact lenses may abrade your cornea and cause infections.
Sunglasses are essential equipment for desert hiking. The desert's sunlight is intense and the UV radiation is high. Sunglasses can effectively block UV rays, protecting your eyes from damage and preventing eye diseases like snow blindness.
Snow goggles are generally not recommended. Unlike snow, while the sun is strong, there's a lot of dust. Snow goggles have a relatively narrow field of view, making it difficult to observe the terrain and surrounding environment in the desert. Furthermore, snow goggles are generally less breathable than sunglasses, so using them in the desert may cause stuffiness and sweating around your eyes, affecting both wearing comfort and visual quality.
Going to the toilet in the desert is divided into three steps:
Step 1: dig a hole; Step 2: go to the toilet; Step 3: bury it;
It is recommended to travel with a companion, on the one hand to prevent getting lost, on the other hand to help keep out the wind; you can also bring an umbrella for protection.
The camp provides water for washing, but since water is scarce in the desert, it is only enough for brushing teeth and washing face, not for taking a bath.
We recommend bringing some wet wipes. Do not use soap, facial cleanser, or any other chemical products! This can lead to eutrophication and contamination of the lake.
The service team will provide 8 bottles of mineral water per person per day, the camp will provide hot water, and there will be a supply point at noon. Individuals only need to carry drinking water for half a day.
This route will provide camp meals and meals on the way.
Breakfast includes eggs, milk tea, bread, etc.
Road meals include beef jerky, chocolate, fruit, bread, etc.
Dinner includes stir-fried dishes, lamb stew, etc.
You need to bring your own garbage bags to dispose of the garbage in the desert, so it is recommended to take only as much as you can eat, otherwise the soup will be difficult to handle.
After eating, you can first wipe off the residue on the tableware with a paper towel, then put some clean fine sand on the tableware, and wipe it with your hands or a clean cloth dipped in sand. The friction of the sand can help remove oil and stains.
The campsite does not provide power supply, please bring your own power bank. There is no signal in the desert, so please inform your family and friends in advance.
The Tengger Desert Hiking is an entry-level long-distance outdoor hike, a 50km hike over three days. Anyone with outdoor hiking experience can participate!
Children are welcome! Even if they can't walk, they can still ride! Ages 8 and up are welcome. Younger children can join the parent-child group (5-14 years old).
No, due to itinerary reasons, the upper limit for passengers on this route is 60 years old.
You can do some exercise before the trip to build up your physical fitness, but you should reduce the amount of exercise a week before the trip, combining aerobic and anaerobic exercise. The following exercises are recommended with fewer restrictions:
Running: Exercise lower limb strength and cardiopulmonary function, jogging to exercise endurance, not the pursuit of speed
Cycling: Exercise lower limb strength and cardiopulmonary function
Mountain climbing: comprehensive physical exercise
Wall squats or stair climbing: Exercise lower limb strength and knee endurance
Planks or crunches: These build core strength, which is helpful for maintaining stability and balance on rough terrain.
With sufficient logistical support, including the desert command center, camp logistics team, and medical team, you can hike without any worries!
If you are physically exhausted, you can always take the security car~
Heatstroke is related to personal physical strength and sun protection measures. We will arrange support vehicles and medical teams.
The Tengger Desert is located in the northwest of China, and every summer vacation hundreds of people go hiking with us, so don't worry too much.
There will be separate cars, and a China-TravelNote tour leader will be assigned for groups of more than 20.
Of course not! During the three-day desert trek, the China Mountaineering Association's "Trilogy" program will teach you desert survival skills. Besides trekking, you'll also enjoy dune boarding, an outdoor movie, a bonfire party, kayaking, and much more. For example, you can take home a bottle of sand, observe the lonely yet tenacious growth of plants in the desert, and witness breathtaking sunrises, sunsets, and the Milky Way.
Hello, the itinerary will not be involved.
Hello, it is possible to stay in the camp, but we cannot leave much time for everyone during the hiking trip.
①Flight→Yinchuan Hedong International Airport; Train→Yinchuan Station
②Go to the meeting hotel on your own
③After arriving, you can rest in the hotel or go sightseeing in Yinchuan city
④ We will gather for a pre-trip meeting around 7pm (if you cannot attend, please contact the tour leader in time) to introduce the precautions for the hike.
A text message will be sent about 5 days before the tour, with notes on information such as the meeting hotel and tour leader.
If you have time, you can choose to visit Yinchuan city: Western Xia Royal Tombs, Zhenbeibao Western Film City, Helan Mountain Rock Paintings, Ningxia Museum, Shuidonggou, Chengtian Temple Pagoda, Drum Tower, Jade Emperor Pavilion, Haibao Pagoda, Phoenix Stele and other attractions.
The bus that enters and leaves the desert is not the same one. Do not leave any items on the bus. Keep valuables in a safe place. If you lose anything, you will be responsible for it yourself.
It is not recommended because the last day is for team members to navigate out of the desert together, and the return time depends on the time when the last group of team members walk out of the desert.
The last day of the trip is the full-day disbanding day. Please arrive at the meeting hotel in Yinchuan city around 18:00 on the day before. If you want to return on the same day, please book a flight after 21:00 or a train after 20:00.
No. China-TravelNote provides free double tents (2 people/tent) and moisture-proof mats. If you mind sharing a room, you can pay the difference for a single room.
If you bring your own tent, you can set it up at the campsite, but there is no refund. You need to bring your own sleeping bag or rent one.
You can choose sleeping bags with different filling amounts according to the month. The comfortable temperature in April/May/October is -5℃, the temperature in June/September is about 0℃, and the comfortable temperature in July-August is 10℃. You can also contact customer service to rent for 80 yuan/2 nights.
The sleeping bags we provide for rent have a temperature rating of -5 degrees Celsius under normal circumstances. If you feel cold, we will provide you with another one for free, along with a fleece liner.
It is not recommended to bring a hard-shell suitcase into the desert as it is more prone to scratches and damage. You can store it in the hotel where you stay on the first night.
We will prepare lunch boxes for everyone, and the team members can take them away directly after the trip and take them home as souvenirs.
Sports hiking shoes will do, but be careful not to wear shoes with mesh surfaces and do not wear new shoes, otherwise your feet will be worn out after three consecutive days of high-intensity hiking.
It is not recommended. It will be hot and stuffy, and it is not suitable for long-distance hiking. Your feet will be worn out.
Sand sets are free and do not require rental. If you need to purchase additional sets, it costs 25 yuan per pair.
If you don't need them, we will provide a trekking pole loan service, which can be returned after the trip.
It is recommended to bring a headlamp, which will be more convenient for eating, washing, going to the toilet, etc. at night.
During the journey, you only need to carry half a day's drinking water, personal snacks and other portable hiking supplies (remember to bring clothes to add at any time). Lunch can be replenished at any time, and we will have a support vehicle to follow you at any time.
Luggage needs to be packed in advance. Tents, sleeping bags, toiletries and other items that will be used at night in the camp can be placed in a large bag and transported by the camp vehicle. During the hike, you can travel light and carry a small bag. The large bag will not be seen during the hike.
The Tengger Desert has high ground temperature, large temperature difference between day and night, frequent sandstorms, strong solar radiation, and low air humidity;
●The hiking season is from April to October. Under normal circumstances, the temperature in April, May and October is about 0-20°C, and in June and September it is about
The temperature in July and August is about 15-35℃. The temperature will be lower in windy, rainy or snowy weather.
● When preparing equipment, refer to the temperature (leave 5 degrees of redundancy) and pay attention to keeping warm, sun protection, and sand protection.
Depending on the month, it is recommended to bring three-season or even four-season clothing, focusing on sun protection and sand protection during the day, and keeping warm in the morning and evening.
● Protective layer: 1 set of soft shell clothing is recommended (including WINDSTOPPER, which is mainly windproof and warm, and more comfortable to wear than hard shell clothing)
● Sun protection layer: a skin-protective top and a set of quick-drying underwear (UV rays are strong during the day and the temperature is hot and dry, so a skin-protective top with UPF 40+ or higher is recommended)
● Warmth layer: Choose 1 from fleece/artificial cotton/down jacket
(Wear in the morning and evening, a must-have for campsites to keep warm, choose different filling amounts according to different seasons)
● 1-2 sets of underwear (wool or technical fabrics preferred, cotton not recommended)
● 1-2 sets of spare clothes (desert hiking clothes may get soaked in sand, so spare clothes are prepared for wearing outside the hiking trip)
● 1 pair of hiking shoes (mid-high tops are preferred; mesh shoes are prone to sand intrusion and are not recommended. Use sand guards when hiking)
● 1 pair of sand guards (essential, mainly to prevent sand from entering the shoes)
● 1 pair of camp shoes (Clothes or slippers are recommended)
● 1-2 pairs of socks (professional hiking socks or wool socks are preferred to wick away sweat and prevent blisters)
● Small backpack (15-20 liters is enough to carry drinking water, personal belongings and valuables for a single day)
● Large backpack (Put any extra clothing and other items you won't need during the day's hike in a large backpack and then transport them to the campsite via shuttle bus. Suitcases are not recommended as they can easily get damaged by sand)
● 1 pair of trekking poles (if used properly, they can save about 20% of your energy and reduce the impact on your knees. They can be borrowed for this route)
● 1 sun hat (a large brim is recommended to block the sun)
● 1 pair of thin gloves (mainly to prevent sunburn)
● 1 pair of sun protection sleeves (to prevent sunburn, not necessary if wearing long-sleeved sun protection clothing)
● 1 pair of sunglasses (UV and sand protection)
● 1-2 sun protection headscarves (can protect against the sun, wind and sand, and can also wipe away sweat, so it has many uses)
● Sunscreen (SPF 50+, essential)
● Sunscreen lip balm (SPF50+, essential)
● 1 headlamp (for camp lighting, a flashlight or cell phone light can also be used as a substitute, but it is not as convenient as a headlamp. Outdoor activities are uncertain, so it is recommended to always have a headlamp)
● Meals on the trail (meals and bottled water will be provided on the day of the hike. You can bring some snacks according to your taste)
1 sleeping bag (choose a sleeping bag with different filling levels depending on the month. The comfortable temperature in April, May, and October is -5°C, in June and September it is around 0°C, and in July and August it is 10°C. You can also contact customer service to rent it for 80 yuan/2 nights)
1 sleeping bag with dirt barrier (if you rent a sleeping bag, it is recommended to bring your own)
Headlamp (spare battery), mobile phone (data cable), 1-2 power banks, camera (batteries), etc. (Electronic products especially need to be well protected from sand)
Tableware (free of charge), toothbrush and toothpaste, portable mouthwash, wet wipes, sunscreen & lip balm SPF 50+, mosquito repellent, garbage bags, etc.
ID card, cash, waterproof bag/sand bag, thermos, medicine (cold medicine, motion sickness medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, allergy medicine, etc., please bring as needed according to your physical condition), etc.
