Aesthetic in the Desert

🏜️A mysterious ancient castle in the desert! The Yellow River Suji is perfect for photos!

🏜️Beauty in the desert! Every frame looks like a movie scene!
I stayed in the "suburbs" near the center of Zhongwei, and taking taxis was inconvenient, so I arranged a reliable car service through the homestay. The car took me round trip from the homestay to Yellow River Suji, and also to the open desert opposite the Star Hotel (which we couldn't enter) and the nearby Train Hotel. The car service cost 200 yuan.

1️⃣ Yellow River Suji Main Street
The rammed earth buildings look like magazine covers in every shot! The sound of camel bells makes you feel like you've traveled back to the Silk Road. But the weather was extremely hot and dry, so I didn’t get many good face photos, wrapped up tightly.
The occupancy rate at Suji is low and there aren’t many tourists. Although I went in the off-season, the sun was really strong.
📸Tips: The light is softest between 6-7 pm, with a bit of wind. Find alleys with depth for photos. You can take off your hat and sunglasses then.

2️⃣ Hidden Great Wall Entrance
A 15-minute walk from Suji! There’s a mountain path that feels very adventurous. Remember to wear hiking shoes; the path is rough and a bit desolate. Climb up and you’ll see the Yellow River. Walking a bit further on the flat ground nearby also offers a view of a corner of the Yellow River (there’s a barrier blocking the front, probably for safety reasons).

🍴Food Recommendations
Yellow River Carp Hotpot: Exclusive to Suji restaurants! The fish is fresh and sweet.
Desert Afternoon Tea: The rooftop terrace is super chill and perfect for photos.

🌅Must-Visit Spots
1️⃣ Sunset Viewing Platform
Climb to the top of the tallest building to see the Yellow River sunset dye the entire desert red.
2️⃣ Rammed Earth Wall Maze
A corridor of light and shadow between buildings, with magical light and shadow patterns appearing at 3 pm.

🚗Transportation Tips
It’s recommended to hire a car for round trips! The last 3 kilometers are difficult to drive—narrow and winding roads, even harder when it rains. Beginners should be careful.
Avoid traveling in rainy weather! Low-clearance cars may scrape the bottom.