Zhongwei

Where the Desert Meets the Yellow River

Shapotou's dunes run down to a great bend of the Yellow River, and the Desert Star Hotel lets you wake inside the scene. The layered pavilions of Gaomiao stack a temple skyward in the town.

Best time to visit: May–June and September–October

Visas: Australian passport holders currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days — an arrangement scheduled to end on 31 December 2026, so confirm the rules for your travel dates.