Location: Alashan is a prefecture at the westernmost end of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region and neighbors Jiuquan, Zhangye and Wuwei in Gansu Province in the west. It is separated from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region by Helan Mountain in the east, sharing a 733.48 kilometers (456 miles) boundary with Mongolia. Bayanhot is the administrative center

Physical Features: Alashan is situated on the Inner Mongolian Plateau having an average altitude of 1000-1400 meters (3281-4593 feet) with its topography inclining from the higher north to the lower south. The Gobi Desert and desert grassland comprise the main landscape of this area.

Climatic Features: Alashan has a typical continental climate for its location in the hinterland of Asia remote from the moisture of the sea. Wind blowing with sand, rare rain and dry air are the main features of its weather. The winter is chilly and the summer is parched.

When to Go: Summer is the best time to explore the scenic spots of Alashan around Helan Mountain, while the poplar forest in Ejiana Qi tinged with autumn red is also fascinating.

History: Historically, Alashan was a beautiful place with many mellow waters and grass although there are many deserts in this area too. It has been shielded for hundreds of years from sparseness by the forests in Helan Mountain, Heihe River and oases. In the 17th Century, a tribe of Mongolians, the Tuerhute, after much difficulty contrived to come back and settle in this area from Volga River region. From then on, Alashan was inhabited over generations.

Scenic Spots:
Ejina Diversifolius Poplar Forest National Nature Reserve: one of the three extensive poplar forests in the world has enthralling autumn scenes beloved by numerous tourists and photographers
Virgin Forest in Helan Mountain: a perfect attraction combining natural forest landscapes and Buddhist temples, such as the Guangzong Temple and the Fuyin Temple.
Moon Lake in Tengger Desert: a leisure destination in the shape of the map of China with one kilometer (0.6 mile) long natural bathing beach and medicinal lake water.

Special Local Products: cashmere, camel hair, curious stone carvings

Tourist Tips: Buses are the main vehicles in Alashan. Recently, visitors have been able to take buses directly between Alashan and other cities in Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Gansu, such as Hohhot, Lanzhou, and Yinchuan. In addition, visitors can also get in and out of Alashan through the nearby airport. Alashan You Qi is 520 kilometers (323 miles) from Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport, while Alashan Zuo Qi is only 110 kilometers (68 miles) from the Yinchuan Hedong Airport in Ningxia.

Apart from the tourist necessities, such as sunglasses, sunblock, and clothes with long sleeves, visitors should also pay attention that not to shelter from the wind behind the lee slope of a dune. The correct action is to stand in front the dune behind camels.