The Tengger Desert is the fourth largest desert in China, covering 43,000 square kilometers. The Mongolian language of Tengger is Tian, which means that the vast quicksand is like the boundless sky. There are hundreds of original ecological lakes in the desert that have existed for tens of millions of years. Our five lakes connecting route is located in the southeast of the Tengger Desert, about 2 hours' drive from Yinchuan, passing through Swan Lake, Kagetu, Suhaitu, Sun Lake, Moon Lake, the most famous of which are Swan Lake and Moon Lake , the whole journey is 53KM, which is one of the most classic routes for desert hiking in China.
Day1 (2018.4.29): 13km on foot
The bus departs from Yinchuan, Ningxia at 7:50, and arrives at the starting point of the Alxa League Desert in Inner Mongolia at 10:00. First of all, divide into groups. There are about 100 people in this team, from Beijing, Hangzhou, Fujian, Shanghai, Guangdong, etc. Our Hangzhou team has 13 people. Lao Gu is our captain. He receives trekking poles, T-shirts, masks and shoes for personal use. Sets, water, etc., and other supplies for the night were placed on heavy trucks, and several off-road vehicles followed the pilot to replenish water and rescue on the way.
The large army was walking in the desert mightily, and the team lined up, winding forward. From time to time, there was a sound of everyone reporting the number, fearing that someone would be left behind. Everyone is covered tightly, with big brim hats and headscarves covering their faces with only their eyes exposed. Every step they take, the soft fine sand will sink, so it takes twice as much energy as walking on flat ground. The sun at noon It was shining white, and the head of the person was swollen in the sun. Fortunately, there was an occasional wind blowing when climbing the sand ridge. Soon we came to a level ground and started to have lunch. The logistics support has set up tables and stools, and each person has a box of self-heating meals. After opening, smash the rice and pour a bag of braised tofu on top. Scatter the outer bag of the lime bag at the bottom of the box, then add the water bag, put the lunch in the box, and cover it. It will be steaming for a while, and it will be eaten in fifteen minutes. A gust of wind blew by, and the meal was crunchy. It turned out that there was sand in the meal, and I was hungry, so I took a few mouthfuls of sand to settle it quickly. I ate a pear and continued to set off after replenishing the water. After experiencing the wind meal, I am looking forward to the camping tonight. Two in the afternoon is the hottest time. The earth is in a sauna, the sun is dazzling, but fortunately the wind is cool. Sometimes climb up the sand dunes, along the sand ridge line, facing the wind and sand retrograde, overlooking the horizon, one side is the faint Helan Mountain, and the other side is the endless sand sea; sometimes along the sand slope, slip into the depression, one foot deep Shallow one foot hobbled!
The desert is not all sand, it is quite diverse, including lakes, Malan flowers, cistanche (Cynomorium cynomorium), lizards, beetles, camels, sheep, water birds, eagles, gerbils, etc. The plants that are seen most along the way are Artemisia annua, sand bamboo, etc., and the animals include beetles and small lizards. In the south where there is plenty of rain, we feel that cherishing water is just a slogan, but here we really feel the preciousness of water. Only where there is water is there green vegetation, other life. When I am thirsty, I can take out the mineral water and drink it. I don’t know how deep their roots must be to reach the water source. So every time we pass by weeds and small animals, I will carefully detour, for fear of stepping on them. The life that can survive under such difficult conditions is worthy of awe.
Off-road vehicles crossed the two sides of the team from time to time to ensure safety. A Mongolian uncle rode a motorcycle and overtook the front, standing on the sand dunes. Sa was mighty and he was the direction of the team. If the direction was correct, it would be okay to slow down. The battle line of the team is getting longer and longer. The first day's journey was 13 kilometers, and finally arrived at the camp after five o'clock. There is still a lake in the hinterland of the desert, nature is amazing. There are many beautiful old trees growing around the lake, with large bird nests on the branches, and eagles hovering gracefully in the sky.
Bring your own luggage, tents, moisture-proof pads, and sleeping bags. After building a small nest, there is no condition to take a bath, so hurry up and wash up. Swan Lake is a saltwater lake, so it is surrounded by saline land. Locals drilled a well and pumped it to the surface. The men fetched water vigorously, and the girls gracefully washed away the tiredness of the day, and immediately put on the mask, sprayed it on, and painted it on. It seemed that they were not in the desert at this time! Everything was ready, my little sister and I put on beautiful dresses and went to the desert to take pictures, jumping and jumping in the afterglow of the setting sun, posing with various POSS and concave shapes, and took many interesting photos. When it’s time for dinner, we have roasted whole lamb, mutton soup and steamed buns for dinner. The mutton soup is very good. It’s a great enjoyment to have a mouthful of hot soup outdoors. The Shanghai team next door brought a lot of beer and white wine, etc., which made me feel a little greedy. After dinner, a bonfire was lit, and everyone turned around to the rhythm of the music, having a great time. The other teams also set off fireworks, and outdoor people just know how to play. I feel that the desert night at this time has a bit of New Year's Eve atmosphere. The night was getting dark, and the two squeezed into the small tent, probably because they were tired, and the surroundings gradually quieted down. It was the first time they slept in the desert and had a good night's sleep.
Day2 (2018.4.30): 27km on foot
Many people are curious about going to the toilet. There are simple toilets in the camp, but of course they are not as hygienic as the toilets at home. When hiking in the desert, you can find some high sand dunes for cover, and the sky and the earth are yours to play. Don’t worry, dust will return to dust in a few days, and you have to let go when you come out to play! After passing through Suhaitu Lake and Wulan Lake, we finally arrived at the Sun Lake camp at 17:00. A few simple vegetarian dishes, a big pot of stewed mutton soup, thick and salty, drank mutton soup and ate mutton , fully replenish the salt lost by sweat during the day, and increase physical strength! Toward the end of the dinner, we were still drinking and smoking, when suddenly the wind blew up, and the weather was going to change! It is so rare to have rain in the desert, and we are lucky to meet it.
The wind was blowing more and more with the sand, and everyone put their luggage into the tent, or even lay down in it, pressing down. The team leader and support personnel commanded in the wind and sand, holding a shovel to compact the surrounding area of the tent with sand. My little sister and I also hid in the tent. There was a strong wind and sand outside, and there was also fine sand flying around inside. The temperature also dropped sharply. Fortunately, I brought enough clothes, put on the jacket and got into the sleeping bag early, prayed, and fell asleep peacefully in the wind, sand and drizzle. I don't understand Sand World but I like it!
Day3 (2018.5.1): 13km on foot
Another burst of frenzied shooting started. In fact, there are only a dozen trees, but the straight trunks and dense crowns are embedded with bird nests. This is the hope of life in the desert! Through the grove, facing a sand wall. Climb, have nothing to love, keep your head down. Climb, climb, climb! Standing on the hillside of the sand dunes, everyone was stunned by the beautiful scenery when they turned their heads. At this time, the sun was shining brightly, part of the light was covered by clouds, and the ground was divided into several layers. The color of the light was transparent, and the shadows were dark. It was this light and shadow that turned the sand dunes, lakes, and grass into beautiful scenery. Sweeping away the tiredness, Ka Ka Ka Ka Ka continued to take pictures, solo, team, and group photos. Changing the angle is a kind of scenery, put a POSS and take another picture, come and let's take a group photo...
People move with the scenery, and shadows follow people. Unknowingly climbed the sand ridge line, one side is Sun Lake, and the other side is Moon Lake. The whole desert is under our feet. I stand on the top of the sand dunes, the wind is calm and the clouds are light, and everything is in this heavenly holy land Tengger. I didn’t see the Da Yuezhi, the Huns, Dangxiang, and Mongolia back then, but I could feel the thousand-year-old gold and iron horses, the sea and the sand, and the insignificance and ephemerality of people, which made me understand how important today’s splendor is.
I like to participate in various outdoor activities. When chatting with everyone, I can have collisions of different cultures, experiences, and living habits. Especially among those who love to travel, there are many people with distinctive personalities. For example, the great outdoorsman I met the next day, for example, the only ten-year-old boy on this hike, who has the same experience as us at such a young age, which broadens the breadth of life; for example, the girl who loves to take selfies, the composition is bold and vivid It is innovative, and captures the atmosphere and what I want to express in my heart. In comparison, my composition is still too regular. Although there is nothing wrong with it, it lacks a little spirituality; another example is the beautiful home decoration designer from Shanghai who is the same age as me. For most of the year, I traveled alone all over the country, and their lives have climbed to heights that I can't reach in some fields. After meeting, I broadened my horizons and gave me a lot of inspiration and motivation to strive for the top. Everyone needs a strong trip in his life, to see the world, see all living beings, and even more see himself. What kind of dream to dream, what kind of road to take, what kind of person to become, you have to achieve yourself.
Finally, I conclude with the lyrics of Yin Wu's "Everyone's Life Is a Long Journey", to thank and bless the people I met along the way!
Many things I thought about before
but don't know how to express
Only the wind whispers in my ear
luggage is ready
The road is also in front of me
Farewell today, hard to meet again
dreams are ahead
Faintly shining, fascinating
may you find it eventually
But there are also hot and cold winters in the distance
rainy night muddy road
hope you are safe
May wandering bring you enough wisdom
firm courage
not wear away your dreams
...
Everyone's life is a journey
I don't know where we can meet again
