The Tengger Desert stretches north and west from Zhongwei, part of the vast arid interior of northern China. At Shapotou it reaches the Yellow River and stops — the desert edge here is steep and abrupt, with high dunes dropping directly toward the water. But the desert extends well beyond the resort area, and for those willing to go further into it, the landscapes away from Shapotou's crowds are quieter and more elemental.
Camel treks into the interior beyond Shapotou are available through operators in Zhongwei, ranging from half-day rides to overnight camps with fire and stargazing. The night sky in the desert interior, away from any artificial light, is exceptional — this part of northwestern China has extremely low light pollution. Operators can arrange everything including camping equipment; prices vary but a full overnight desert experience typically costs several hundred yuan per person.
The desert surface varies from pure sand dunes in the south and east to rockier, more gravelled plains toward the centre. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the best seasons; summer is very hot and the tourist infrastructure at Shapotou is overwhelmed; winter brings cold but clear days and a near-total absence of other visitors.