For tourists hoping to get a glimpse of the desert, Shapotou in Zhongwei, Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is worth visiting.

Tourists wave as they drift in the Yellow River, dubbed mother river of China, in Zhongwei, Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, August 24, 2006. [chinadaily.com.cn]

Shapotou, dubbed as the capital of sand, is widely regarded as one of the five most beautiful deserts in China. It lies on the north bank of the Yellow River where it crosses the southeastern part of the Tengeri Desert.

In Shapotou, people can see a marvelous integration of desert and oasis. The vast difference is divided by a sand hill. To the north is a vast desert; in the opposite direction, there is a boundless green land.

Drifting on the Yellow River, the mother river of the Chinese nation, on sheepskin raft is sure to bring the tourist special thrill.

Sheepskin raft, as the name suggests, is made of sheep skin. When a sheep is killed, locals will remove the skin skillfully and then make a balloon out of it. A number of these balloons are strung together to form a buoyant base for a floor of bamboos.

Courage is needed for river drifting, but tourists do not have to worry as the boatmen are very experienced. They will let you sense the excitement and enjoy the fascinating scenery along the way.

In Shapotou, tourist can also get a taste of sand slide. Shapotou International Sand Slide Center, 100 meters in length and 100 meters in height, is the biggest natural sand slide field in China.

It is also one of China's Four Sounding Sand Fields. When the weather is fine, people sliding down the sand hill can hear the sound of sand beneath.

After sand slide, tourists can then fly over the Yellow River, China's second longest river through a cableway. The cableway here is 820 meters long, 54 meters high above the water and the slide is at an average speed of 8 m/s (about 26 feet per second).

When visiting desert, people will not forget to mention camels. Tourists can enjoy the beauty and mystery of the desert from the vantage point of a camel's back. Sunset on the Yellow River and sunrise in the desert are particularly memorable.

One can spend an evening in a Mongolian camp or sit by a bonfire enjoying an ethnic-style performance or even take part in a dance.