As the only desert UNESCO World Heritage site in China, the Badain Jaran Desert offers a genuine desert adventure with primitive landscapes. Instead of many recreational sand activities, it features exciting 4WD dune bashing down slopes of over 460 meters, 144 colorful desert lakes, magnificent singing sand dunes, and unforgettable stargazing experiences.
You can plan a 2 to 3-day trip for an in-depth exploration in the desert. Zhangye and Jinchang are popular gateways to reach the desert. The best times to visit it are from April to June and September to October. Read on for more practical tips and estimated prices for different activities.
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- Essential Travel Information about Badain Jaran Desert
- Where is the Badain Jaran Desert and How to Get to?
- What Makes the Badain Jaran Desert Special? – Top Highlights
- How to Visit & Planning Tips
- Essential Tips for a Smooth & Safe Trip
- Badain Jaran Desert vs Kubuqi Desert
- Explore the Badain Jaran Desert with China Xian Tour
Essential Travel Information about Badain Jaran Desert
- Location: Alxa Right Banner, Alxa League, western Inner Mongolia. Borders Gansu Province to the southwest
- Chinese Name: 巴丹吉林沙漠 (Bā Dān Jí Lín Shāmò)
- Size: 47,000 km²
- Number of Lakes: Over 140 lakes
- Opening Hours: All day.
- Tickets: CNY 120-160 (USD 18-24)
- Best Time to Go: September to October, April to June
- Time Needed: 1-4 days
- Highlights: A UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, home to the world’s tallest fixed sand dune, singing sand, 140+ colorful lakes, ancient temples
- Suited to: Off-road 4WD adventure lovers, photographers, stargazing enthusiasts, people who are interested in Mongolian-Tibetan desert temple culture
- Meaning of the Name: The word is believed to come from Mongolian language. It is often interpreted as “the place of sixty lakes,” reflecting the desert’s remarkable landscape of more than 140 scattered lakes.
Where is the Badain Jaran Desert and How to Get to?
Currently, there are no direct flights or trains to Badain Jaran Desert, so for most visitors, you’ll generally need three steps to reach Badain Jaran Desert:
- Step 1: Fly or take a high-speed train to major gateway cities, including Zhangye and Jinchang.
- Step 2: Take a local bus, taxi or chartered car to reach the Badain Jaran Town (the main entrance to the desert) in Alxa Right Banner.
- Step 3: Transfer to a professionally driven 4WD vehicle to venture into the desert hinterland. Private vehicles are not allowed to drive into the desert.
The desert is located in the northern part of Alxa Right Banner in the western Inner Mongolia. It borders Jinchang and Zhangye in Gansu to the south. Thus, Zhangye and Jinchang are, currently, the most convenient gateway cities to reach the desert.
Get to Badain Jaran Town via Zhangye
While Zhangye is slightly farther from the Badain Jaran Desert than Jinchang, it is the preferred transfer city thanks to its more convenient transportation connections.
You can fly to Zhangye from Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chongqing, Lanzhou, Chengdu, etc. Zhangye Ganzhou Airport is about 150 km away from Badain Jaran Town. The driving time is about 2 hours.
From Zhangye Train Station, you’ll need to drive about 160 km (2.5 hours) to reach Badain Jaran Town.
For a budget travel, you can also take a coach from Zhangye East Bus Station at 10:00 am to Alxa Right Banner (Badain Jaran Town). The journey takes about 2.5 hours, with a one-way fare of CNY 35.
Ride a jeep through Badain Jaran Desert's towering sand dunes and hidden oasis lakes, then marvel at Zhangye's vibrant Rainbow Mountains at golden hour.
Get to Badain Jaran Town Via Jinchang
You can fly to Jinchang Jinchuan Airport from Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an and Lanzhou. Or take a train to Jinchang from Beijing, Xi’an, Lanzhou, Chongqing, Hangzhou, etc.
- Jinchang Jinchuan Airport (金昌金川机场) is about 105 km from Alxa Right Banner. It is the closest airport to the desert. From the airport, you can take a taxi or chartered car to reach Badain Jaran Town in around 1.5 hours, the cost is over CNY 200 (USD 30).
- Jinchang Train Station (金昌站) is about 140km away from Alxa Right Banner. The driving time is about 2 hours.
From Badain Jaran Town to Badain Jaran Desert
Your desert tour is getting much closer after arriving at Badain Jaran Town. Private vehicles are not permitted to enter the desert’s core area. The top recommended option is to hire a private 4WD or join a local tour.
In the town, you can easily find plenty of local operators offering guided 4WD excursions into the desert. The tour is priced per vehicle, based on the duration or route. Each vehicle can seat up to 4 people. If you are traveling solo or on a budget, consider sharing a vehicle with other visitors.
Below are the general prices for your reference:
- 1 Day: around CNY 2,000 (USD 299) per vehicle
- 2 days and 1 night: CNY 2,400-3,300 (USD 358 – 493) per vehicle
- 3 days and 2 nights: CNY 3,400-5,000 (USD 507 – 746) per vehicle
What Makes the Badain Jaran Desert Special? – Top Highlights
Badain Jaran Desert is known across the world for its “five wonders,” which are mega sand mountains, hundreds of colorful desert lakes, singing sand dunes, rare springs, ancient desert temples. These amazing wonders have intrigued travelers, photographers, scientists from all over the world.
Hundreds of Colorful Desert Lakes
In such an arid desert area, about 144 permanent lakes are scattered among the giant sand dunes. This is rarely seen in any other deserts in the world. What’s more impressive, these lakes show stunning shades of sapphire blue, pink, scarlet or milky white due to the rich salt minerals, algae and halophilic bacteria in the water.
As it is challenging to visit all the 144 lakes in one trip, you can include the following top scenic ones in your lake-hopping adventure:
- Dagtu Lake (达格图湖): A signature color-changing salt lake in Badain Jaran Desert and a must-visit for every traveler. The lake shifts through shades of pink, rose, and burgundy in different seasons. July–September is the best time to visit when the lake shows the most intense colors.
- Sumin Jaran or Temple Lake (苏敏吉林/庙海子): Home to the Badain Jaran Temple from the Qing Dynasty. It is the cultural heart of the desert, with a local herder’s family offering accommodation. Stay overnight here if you love stargazing.
- Nuoertu Lake (诺尔图湖): The largest and deepest lake in the desert, with a depth of nearly 28 meters. From the Bilutu Peak (the highest peak in the desert), you can enjoy a stunning bird’s-eye view of the Nuoertu and six other surrounding lakes.
- Yinderitu Lake (音德日图湖): Also called the Sacred Spring Lake. It is a salty lake, but with 108 freshwater springs gushing in its center.
- Zhunjigede Lake (准吉格德湖): The lake is split into two sides—one side is a vivid pink salt lake, the other is a deep blue freshwater lake. The unique phenomenon makes it one of the most popular spots for drone photography.
- Badan Lake (巴丹湖): Located right near the park entrance, it is the easiest one to reach.
Giant Sand Mountains
Surrounding the colorful lakes are over 6,000 giant sand mountains, which cover about 61% of the desert area. They are the unique landscape feature that makes Badain Jaran desert a top destination for sand hiking and thrilling off-road experiences.
Mostly rising over 200-300 meters above the surrounding terrain, these dunes are in various shapes, including Pyramid, crescent, sharp blade, etc.
The highlight is the Bilutu Peak, the tallest stable giant sand dune in the world. Rising about 460 meters above the desert floor, it is even 70 meters higher than the tallest dunes in the Sahara, earning it the nickname “Everest of Deserts”. Its steep slopes make it a thrilling challenge for adventurous travelers.
The World’s Most Spectacular Singing Sand Landscape
In Badain Jaran desert, you can see one of the largest and most extensive singing sand landscapes on Earth. When large amounts of dry sand slide down the steep slopes of giant dunes, they can produce a deep, booming rumble.
Because many of Badain Jaran’s sand mountains rise some hundreds of meters high, the scale of the vibration becomes much greater when massive amounts of dry sand collapse and slide down these towering slopes. Baori Taolegai is the top spot to encounter singing sand dunes in Badain Jaran.
Badain Jaran Temple from the Qing Dynasty
There are a few ancient temples and ruins in the Badain Jaran Desert. The most significant one is Badain Jaran Temple, also known as the “Forbidden City” in the desert. It’s a typical Tibetan Buddhist temple built in 1755 during the Qing Dynasty, adjacent to the dunes and a lake.
Because of its remote location, few people come here to worship. So it has maintained its original structure. As the only complete temple in Alxa Right Banner, it is sacred and indispensable for the spiritual and religious life of the desert locals.
Mandela Mountain
The mountain is actually not in the desert, but on its southeastern edge. But we still recommend it because of the 4,234 registered rock carvings here. The carvings span over 6,000 years, showcasing the artistic heritage of generations of northern nomadic groups, including Xiongnu, Xianbei, Turkic peoples, Tangut (Western Xia), and Mongols.
How to Visit & Planning Tips
Top Activities
Based on your interests, you can choose from the following activities to explore the above-mentioned desert wonders or get your adrenaline pumping. The estimated price in the shoulder season is also included for your reference.
Activity |
Brief Introduction |
Estimated Price |
4WD Desert Dune Bashing & Desert Lake Visits |
Ride with a professional local driver across towering dunes (up to 460 m), stop at famous lakes along the way |
1 Day: around CNY 2,000 (USD 299) per vehicle (up to 4 people) 2 days and 1 night: CNY 2,400-3,300 (USD 358 – 493) per vehicle |
Camel Riding |
Usually for short trips. Enjoy a camel ride along dunes and lakeshores, and take classic photos. Usually visit lakes near the entrance. |
1-hour ride: CNY 100–150 ($15 – $22) per person |
Sandboarding |
Sit on a board and slide down the steep dunes.Often included in the desert camping or 4WD tour. |
Board rental: free or CNY 30 ($4) per person, unlimited use |
Desert Camping |
Spend a night in a traditional Mongolian yurt or tent. A dinner and breakfast are included, campfire party available.You can enjoy stargazing on sunny days. |
CNY 300-500 ($45 – $75) per night |
Stargazing |
Enjoy exceptional views of the Milky Way on calm nights. |
Included with overnight tours |
Photography Safari |
Guided by a local photography expert, with flexible sunrise and sunset shooting schedules, exclusive lake locations, lakeside camping |
CNY 800-5000 ($ 119 – 746) per person for a 3 to 5-day trip (vehicle and accommodation vary based on the price) |
Sample Itineraries
Option 1: 3 Days Badain Jaran Desert Tour
The most popular method to explore the Badain Jaran Desert is joining a 1 to 2-day 4WD jeep safari tour. Accompanied by a local expert guide, you’ll race across giant sand dunes and encounter mysterious lakes. Spend your night in a traditional Mongolian yurt and enjoy opportunities to capture stunning sunrise, sunset and the dazzling Milky Way.
Below is a sample itinerary for your reference:
Day 1: Arrive at Badain Jaran Town
Day 2: Hop on a jeep and head into the heart of the Badain Jaran Desert. Famous attractions along the way include: Badain Lake, Genghis Khan Sand Carving, Yinderitu Spring, Bilutu Peak, Badain Jaran Temple.
Day 3: Sunrise view over the desert, stop at Sumu Barun Jaran Lake, visit Barunyikeri and Heavenly Lake. Be escorted to Zhangye or Jinchang airport.
Tips: If you like and time permits, add a 4th day to visit the Mandela Mountain Rock Painting Scenic Area.
Embark on a thrilling jeep safari deep into Badain Jaran Desert to discover singing sand dunes, star-studded lakes, and an ancient Buddhist desert temple.
Option 2: Combine Zhangye and Badain Jaran Desert in One Trip
This is a more efficient way to experience two natural wonders in one trip. As we have mentioned above, Zhangye is one of the main gateway cities to Badain Jaran Town. Before venturing into the desert, be prepared to be wowed by Zhangye’s Rainbow Mountains.
Day 1: Arrive in Zhangye
Day 2: Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park. Visit both the Ice Valley Mountain and Rainbow Mountain scenic areas.
Day 3: Zhangye Giant Buddha Temple, Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon.
Day 4: Badain Jaran Desert: Badain Lake and Genghis Khan Sand Carving, Yinderitu Spring, Bilutu Peak, Badain Jaran Temple
Day 5: Badain Jaran Desert: Sunrise view over the desert, Sumu Barun Jaran Lake, Barunyikeri and Heavenly Lake. Departure
An 8-day Silk Road adventure through Qinghai's salt lakes, Zhangye's rainbow mountains, and the vast Badain Jaran Desert.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Badain Jaran Desert is from September to October when the weather is cool, the skies are clear, and sandstorms are less frequent. The autumn sunshine also offers perfect conditions for photographing spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
April to June comes second, thanks to the comfortable temperature (typically ranging from 20–30°C). Most desert lakes are at their most beautiful at this period, with abundant water and vivid colors. Just note that sandstorms may be more frequent at this time.
Getting Around: Jeep Safari vs. Camel Trekking
Some hiking enthusiasts may opt for a multi-day desert trekking trip to reach remote hidden lakes. However, for the majority of visitors, the more popular options to travel around Badain Jaran desert are by a 4WD jeep or camel ride. These two options offer entirely distinct experiences:
- 4WD Off-Road: Fast, thrilling, adrenaline dune bashing, cover all signature lakes in 1-2 days, stops at every lake viewpoint.
- Camel Trekking: Slow, a more traditional way to explore, great for taking classic desert photos, long hours sitting on a camel saddle, less comfortable. A better option if you only want to cover 1-2 easily accessible lakes in a short trip.
Where to Stay
Camp Inside the Desert
The best option for memorable experiences, allowing you to enjoy spectacular sunrises, sunsets, and incredible stargazing. Some recommended camp spots include:
- Red Lake Camp: CNY 528-620 (USD 79 – 93) per night. Near the Dagetu Red Lake. Highlights the stargazing cabins with large panoramic windows. Facilities are also the best in the desert: private bathrooms, 24-hour hot water, and air conditioning.
- Miaohai Lake Camp: CNY 600-1000 (USD 90 – 149) or more per night. In the heart of the desert, with convenient access to Bilutu Peak, Sacred Spring, etc. Campfire gatherings will be held if there are many guests. Both standard guest rooms and traditional Mongolian yurts (no private restrooms) are available.
Stay in Badain Jaran Town
If you arrive in Badain Jaran Town in late afternoon or would rather avoid spending the night in the desert, staying one night in the town is a practical and more affordable option. Most accommodations are 2 or 3-star hotels or local guesthouses, providing a higher level of comfort than desert camping. The prices are typically around CNY 300 (USD 45) per night.
Essential Tips for a Smooth & Safe Trip
- Book your trip with a licensed local operator or a reliable travel agency.
- Never hike or drive alone in the desert. The mobile signal in the desert may not be available, so always stay with your guide or group to avoid getting lost.
- Carry some cash in case the mobile signals are not available.
- When riding a camel, make sure to hold the saddle firmly when the camel stands up or kneels down.
- Stay away from a camel’s head and hind legs.
- Avoid walking on soft, loose sand on the sheltered side of dunes.
- Bring plenty of drinking water and energy snacks. Typically, carry at least 3 liters of water per person per day.
- If you have motion sickness, take the motion sickness medication about 30 minutes before your jeep safari.
- A wide-brimmed hat, UV-protection sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen, and a neck gaiter or scarf are all essential to protect yourself from the sun and blowing sand.
- Dress in layers. Temperatures can vary by more than 20°C (36°F) between daytime and nighttime.
- Bright-colored clothing makes for better photos and is easier for others to spot you.
- Prepare sealed, waterproof, or dustproof bags to protect your phone, camera, and lenses.
- Check the weather forecast before you go. Postpone your trip if sandstorms are predicted.
Badain Jaran Desert vs Kubuqi Desert
When planning an Inner Mongolia tour, you may find that both Badain Jaran Desert and Kubuqi Desert are popular options for a desert adventure. How to choose between them? Here is a comparison:
Badain Jaran Desert |
Kubuqi Desert |
|
Accessibility |
Far from major cities, after getting to Zhangye or Jinchang airports, still need to drive about 1.5-3 hours to reach. |
Easy to reach: 40km from Baotou, 50km from Ordos, and 2 hours drive from Hohhot. The closest desert from Beijing. |
Landforms & landscapes |
Dense sand dunes, hundreds of colorful lakes, large scale of singing sand landscapes, ancient temple, fresh springs coexist. |
Smaller sand dunes, just 7 small freshwater lakes with no pink color, singing sand landscape is on a small scale. |
Time needed |
2 days or more to explore the core area |
1-2 days |
Activities |
Just the desert landscapes. No amusement rides and cable cars. More thrilling 4WD adventures. |
Family-friendly, a wide range of recreational facilities and entertainment, 4WD dune rides are more gentle |
Accommodation |
Much simpler, most are Mongolian yurts and basic tents |
More comfortable and well-developed, most hotels have city-style facilities |
So, for families with kids or visitors with limited time, Kubuqi Desert is recommended. For those seeking thrilling adventures, Badain Jaran Desert is absolutely the better option.
Ride horses across Huitengxile Grassland, sleep in a traditional yurt, hike the Chahar Volcano group, and enjoy Kubuqi Desert sand activities in Inner Mongolia.
Explore the Badain Jaran Desert with China Xian Tour
With 20 years of experience on planning personalized trips for our visitors from around the world, we can help you plan your perfect trip based on your preferences and requirements. Whether you want an in-depth adventure to the hinterland of the desert or a more diverse trip with desert and many other experiences in Inner Mongolia or Zhangjiajie, China Xian Tour’s travel consultant teams, local expert guides and drivers will guarantee you a smooth and enjoyable trip. Beyond classic sightseeing, we will immerse you in authentic local life and culture.
