Half Desert, Half Sea: A Super Niche Gem City Road Trip Guide

Wuhai, this hidden gem in northwest Inner Mongolia, is a breathtaking blend of vast deserts and shimmering lakes, often underrated yet stunningly beautiful. To coincide with Wuhai's "China's Path: See the Sea in the Desert" national road trip rally on July 25, 2025, we set off early, rented a car locally, and retraced the event route for an in-depth exploration. Here’s our desert-meets-lake road trip guide for fellow wanderlust souls! - ❤️ Itinerary DAY1️⃣: Inner Mongolia Yitong Factory → Ancient Camel-Salt Trail → Sacred Tree Rest Stop DAY2️⃣: Wuhai Lake & Desert → Mohai Mountain Camping Site → Tuhai Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone DAY3️⃣: Jinsha Bay (Golden Sand Bay) → Jiolony Winery → Yellow River Westbound Inn → Hansen Winery → Contemporary Chinese Calligraphy Art Museum - ⭐ Highlights ✔️ Wuhai Lake & Desert The core wonder of "seeing the sea in the desert," where golden dunes roll endlessly beside azure waters. Speedboat rides or camel treks let you feel the surreal clash of sand and waves. ✔️ Jinsha Bay Scenic Area A desert adventure paradise: dune bashing in off-road vehicles is a thrilling rush, and spotting rare Tetraena mongolica shrubs adds life to the barren landscape—every shot is a wild masterpiece. ✔️ Tuhai Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone An ancient temple blending Tibetan, Mongolian, and Han art. Its yellow-glazed tiles glow in the light, especially enchanting at dusk. The solemn ruins whisper tales of time. - 🛎️ Food Recs ✔️ Mandla Mongolian Cuisine Authentic flavors: juicy hand-grabbed lamb with garlic dip cuts the richness, while milk tea with cream warms the soul. ✔️ Borch Mongolian Banquet Ethnic-themed ambiance. Must-tries: crispy-soft grilled lamb chops and refreshing sand onion buns—pure grassland culinary culture. ✔️ Liu Zhangshao Wuhai Old Eatery Local homestyle dishes: braised Yellow River fish and dried pork ribs with beans, bursting with hearty aromas. - 📌 Tips ✔️ Pack for big day-night temp swings (sun protection + warm layers). ✔️ Desert signals are spotty—download offline maps. ✔️ Drive safely and savor the sand-sea-gastronomy journey! We chose Wukong Car Rental for its wide fleet and 800-yuan discount coupons (a collab with Wuhai Tourism). No deposit, door-to-door service, and full insurance coverage make it stress-free. Book via app/mini-program—even cross-city returns are easy. The perfect pick for road trips!