Location
Alxa Left Banner (阿拉善左旗), Inner Mongolia
Bordering the western edges of Ningxia & the Tengger Desert
TLDR
Five Lakes Crossing (五湖穿越) is one of the most breathtaking and challenging off-road routes in Northwest China. Set deep within the Alxa region, this journey takes adventurers across vast desert terrain, golden dunes, and five stunning lakes scattered like jewels in the wilderness.
It’s a bucket-list destination for explorers, photographers, and off-road enthusiasts — offering raw desert beauty, extreme landscapes, and the pure thrill of being far from the world.
Located in Alxa Left Banner, just west of Ningxia, the Five Lakes Crossing is a legendary desert adventure route that cuts through the heart of the Tengger Desert. The area is named after five naturally formed lakes — shimmering blue oases surrounded by endless sand dunes.
Unlike typical tourist spots, Five Lakes Crossing is a true wilderness expedition, requiring 4×4 vehicles, experienced drivers, and a spirit of adventure. The route is known for its dramatic scenery: rolling dunes, desert plains, wind-carved landscapes, and sudden bursts of greenery around each lake.
The five main lakes often included in the crossing are:
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Yueya Lake (月牙湖)
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Moon Lake Variant (新月湖)
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Shuanghu (双湖)
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Xihu (西湖)
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Nanhu (南湖)
(Names may vary slightly depending on route or season.)
Each lake offers a unique landscape — from mirror-like reflections at sunrise to golden hues at sunset. Some are surrounded by reeds and wildlife, while others sit quietly against towering dunes.
Five Lakes Crossing is especially famous for:
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Desert 4×4 expeditions
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Sunrise and sunset photography
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Wild camping under star-filled skies
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Drone filming of dune and lake formations
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Extreme off-road terrain
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Silence and solitude rarely found elsewhere
Travelers often camp overnight in the desert, experiencing unforgettable nights where the Milky Way stretches across the sky with no light pollution. The sense of vastness and isolation is both humbling and inspiring.
While challenging, the route rewards visitors with some of the most striking desert-lake scenery in China, making Five Lakes Crossing a must-visit for anyone seeking the raw, untouched beauty of the Alxa region.
