Sand Lake Scenic Area
56km north of Yinchuan, Sand Lake Scenic Area is a big draw to tourists. Encompassing an area of more than 80 square km, Sand Lake (Shahu) is a gem shining in harsh Gobi Desert, including 45 square km of lake and 22.5 square km of desert. This is a unique scene that combines picturesque wetland and virulent desert. In 2007, the attraction was granted the top 5A Scenic Spots of China.
Every spring over one million migratory birds rest and brood on the island of Sand Lake. It has become a well-known bird-watching place in China. Sand Lake is a perfect habitat for the great variety of birds (190-plus species), including white cranes, black cranes, red-crowned cranes, swans, wild ducks and mandarin ducks.
At present, many recreational activities are opened to the tourists, such as sand boarding, camel/horse riding, boating, fishing, bird-watching, etc. Every year it hosts about 600,000+ tourists from home and abroad. This made Sand Lake Scenic Area one of the most popular attractions in West China.