Xiangshawan: The Singing Desert

Xiangshawan is located at the eastern end of the Kubuqi Desert in Dalad Banner, Ordos City, Inner Mongolia. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The sand here can "sing" — on clear, dry days, when you slide down from the 110-meter-high crescent-shaped dune, the friction and vibration of the sand grains produce sounds like a roaring plane or a croaking frog. That's how it got the name "Xiangshawan" (Singing Sand Bay). The scenic area is divided into Xiansha Island (for thrilling rides) and Yuesha Island (for leisure and culture), and also features the all-inclusive Lotus Resort Hotel.

What Visitors Love About It

Visitors say the biggest draw of Xiangshawan is its perfect combination of the majestic desert and modern amusement. Many tourists find it suitable for the whole family — young people can enjoy exciting ATV rides and desert motorcycles on Xiansha Island, kids can take the small train and play in the water park, while seniors can relax at the resort hotel's swimming pool and buffet.

The singing sand is the most talked-about highlight — the low rumbling sound you hear while sliding down is truly one of a kind. The night view is also stunning — with no light pollution in the desert sky, lying on a dune and gazing at the Milky Way is incredibly healing.

Staying at the Lotus Resort Hotel is also listed as a must-do by many. The hotel offers an "all-inclusive" package covering meals, accommodation, and activities. Guests staying at the hotel basically skip the lines for attractions, saving time and effort.

A Story: Zhang Guolao and Xiangshawan

There is a beautiful legend about the origin of the "singing sand" at Xiangshawan, connected to Zhang Guolao, one of the Eight Immortals.

It is said that Zhang Guolao, riding his donkey backwards while traveling the world, came to the Kubuqi Desert. At that time, it wasn't a desert yet, but an oasis. Feeling hungry and thirsty, he sought help from a poor elderly couple living at the edge of the desert. Though they had almost nothing, the couple warmly offered him their only food and water. Deeply moved, Zhang Guolao scooped up a handful of fine sand and placed it in the farmer's hand, telling him to keep it safe.

Later, Zhang Guolao became an immortal and gained great powers. One morning, the elderly couple opened their door and found that the sand dune in front had turned into an oasis, with a clear river flowing by — and the handful of sand had turned into gold. But the couple couldn't bear to spend the gold, so they buried it deep under the sand dune.

Ever since, whenever a gentle breeze sweeps over the dunes, the sand makes a rustling sound. Some say it's the gold beneath singing, others say it's the immortals chanting scriptures. And that's how Xiangshawan got its name — a story passed down through generations to this day.