When your city is scorching in heatwaves, the summer in the Northwest turns coolness into fine wine—stored under the shade of Helan Mountain, rising with the mist of the Yellow River Gorge, and floating in the silence of desert starlight. This 20°C sanctuary waits for you to uncover it. This is not the extension of heat, but the source of coolness. The greenery under Helan Mountain, the moisture of the canyon, and the desert night breeze weave together the Northwest’s unique summer escape. And of course—sweet melons, juicy lamb and beef, and a glass of good wine!

Let’s avoid the crowds and seek the Northwest’s hidden lands—beyond social media tags, deep into the folds of geography and culture. To Zhongwei, Ningxia, for desert aesthetics; to Laoniuwan, Inner Mongolia, to feel the wild romance carved by the Yellow River’s great bend. These two “Northern Routes” capture the essence of Northwest landscapes while keeping their original quiet beauty.

Route 1 · Hohhot → DaLeZhiYe · Yellow River Grand Canyon

Witness nature’s craftsmanship and the power of the Yellow River.
Laoniuwan lies at the border of Shanxi and Inner Mongolia. The Yellow River forms the boundary—Shanxi’s Pianguan County to the south, Inner Mongolia’s Qingshuihe to the north, and to the west the Ordos Plateau. The famous Jin–Shaanxi–Inner Mongolia Grand Canyon begins here.

The scenery of Inner Mongolia is far more than grasslands. Laoniuwan Canyon and the vast plains are like two contrasting faces—bold and gentle—together expressing the magnificence of the northern frontier. This is also the only place where the Great Wall and the Yellow River “shake hands.” The 270° swirling “Taiji Bay” is a celestial pattern carved by the river, where the rushing Yellow River meets the winding Great Wall.

Wait for an Epic Sunset and Find Your Philosophy

The once-turbulent Yellow River slows into calm lake-like reflections. From the cliff, the water mirrors blue sky and clouds. As the sun sinks behind the canyon, clouds ignite—shifting from orange to crimson to deep violet. The red cliffs glow gold in the last light, turning the canyon into a living painting.

Why do we fall in love with sunsets—especially those of the Northwest? Is it ancient reverence for light encoded in our DNA? Or that sunsets make us feel in sync with the world? Or simply the overwhelming beauty that silences reason? When the last ray sinks into the Yellow River at Laoniuwan, perhaps the answer no longer matters.

Raise your eyes—mountains. Lower your head—the river. In the Yellow River Grand Canyon, we rediscover childhood joys: daydreaming, reading, napping, splashing water, gathering with friends, and simply being present. A winding path connects DaLeZhiYe to the riverside village, making us true neighbors with a handful of local families. Although in Inner Mongolia, villagers here live not in yurts but in cave dwellings. As summer cools toward sunset, elders sit in courtyards chatting from house to house. The village is small and quiet—until we arrive and fill it with laughter. Even the dogs get curious, chasing chickens up trees. A day of “doing nothing,” yet a day full of simple joy.

Here on the Shanxi–Inner Mongolia border, happiness comes from carbs and dairy. No matter where you start your journey, we suggest making Hohhot your first stop. Its paper-thin shaomai, all-purpose beizi (stuffed flatbread), and milk skin are legendary.
Local tradition says: “Two liang of shaomai and half a day of tea.” Eight shaomai with a pot of brick tea—rich yet refreshing. The dough is thin enough to read through, filled with Hetao flour, Xilingol lamb, and Bikqi scallions—rugged yet delicate.
And then comes the beizi—crispy outside, soft inside, fragrant from afar. Stuff it with lamb, beef tongue, even shaomai—it accepts everything. Summer meals must include the dairy trio: milk skin, milk tofu, and old-style yogurt—cooling when you lack appetite, soothing after meat-heavy feasts.

After the vast canyon, it’s time for the Northwest’s romantic side. To Zhongwei, Ningxia—see the desert galaxy and hear the whispers of the night sky. At the foot of Helan Mountain, sip chilled wine and watch bubbles dance.

Route 2 · Helan Mountain Château → Zhongwei Yellow River Lodge

Driving in the Northwest is joy itself. This journey begins at Château under Helan Mountain, passing desert, Yellow River, gobi, and ancient villages—an ever-changing landscape corridor—before arriving at Zhongwei Yellow River Lodge. Sparse traffic, boundless horizons, and open roads turn you into a modern nomad.

Helan Mountain · A Purple-Tinted Drunken Hour

Leaving Yinchuan, you reach the eastern foot of Helan Mountain within an hour. Rice fields, vineyards, and wetlands unfold along the roadside, mountains like ink paintings in the distance. The straight open road leads toward the horizon, while the towering mountain shields you from the summer heat.

In summer evenings, golden light outlines the mountain ridge while breeze rustles through vineyard leaves—softening sunlight into fragments. Soon, everything turns lavender. Outside is desert and gravel; inside the gates is an oasis. Green vines climb walls, giant monstera leaves shine, fig trees hang heavy—any corner is perfect for a slow afternoon.

If the Day Is Long, Then Pass the Wine

When sunset lingers endlessly, it’s time to pass a bottle of wine. Turning a normal afternoon into a small celebration—chilled rosé awakened by terroir tastes like sunset and cool breeze captured in a glass.

Château’s old-vine Marselan rosé opens with bright youthful aromas, followed by firm structure. Taste again and you’ll find concentrated minerality from the deep roots and bold fruit from Marselan. Its layered complexity—nutty, smoky, rich—pairs perfectly with Ningxia’s summer fruits grown in mineral-rich soil under drastic day–night temperature shifts.

As the last purple glow sinks behind the mountain ridge, we light a bonfire in the vineyard. Sparks leap into the cool night wind. No music needed—under the Milky Way, this becomes its own midsummer night’s dream.

Head West and Meet the Desert’s Extremes

Here the golden dunes of Tengger Desert meet the Yellow River. Even the vast sands of Shapotou lose their harshness in summer. At sunset, the sand quickly releases heat, turning cool and delicate. At night, the stars appear—clear, washed, hanging low over the desert like frost-lit diamonds.

Become One with the Sand

With the desert so close, everyone finds their own adventure—driving SUVs across dunes, sliding down sandy slopes, or digging a giant pit just outside the room.

How to play in the desert? There is no fixed answer—just follow your curiosity. When you don’t want sand, wander the Yellow River Lodge: meet small animals, browse the cozy bookstore, and enjoy coffee with cake. The afternoon naturally becomes peaceful and slow.

Sunlight falls through the roof into geometric shadows along earthen corridors—every shot looks like a film still. The rooftop terrace is perfect for watching a breathtaking sunset. Or enjoy the landscape pool facing golden poplar forests. Like a child, wander around with curiosity—visit the bakery, exchange a coffee for a glass of wine, greet the small animals with gifts. For livelier moments, enjoy occasional live music or fireworks; for quiet evenings, stroll the orchards with someone you love and meet a pure Northwest starry sky.

Why squeeze into crowded Europe? Here the days are longer, the galaxy hangs lower, and the evening breeze carries mountain affection. You ask how fun the Northwest summer is? Perhaps because it feels distant—yet right within reach.