Just a short distance from the bustling metropolis of Beijing lies the unique and captivating Tianmo Desert – a small but impressive landscape that offers a taste of the wild without venturing too far from the city.
This ‘Heavenly Desert,’ as its name translates, is situated about 90km northwest of central Beijing in Huailai County, Hebei Province.
It is also just 25km from the Badaling section of the Great Wall (about a 30min drive) making it possible to combine the two destinations into a fun – albeit jam-packed – day of adventuring.
Dune buggy rides in Tianmo. Image via E-Tuozhan
Tianmo Desert is a blend of natural landscapes that create a picturesque setting. Golden sand dunes ripple between mountains and sparkling streams; the vast Guanting Reservoir stretches to the north while the Jundu Mountains stand to the south.
This stunning area offers a refreshing escape from the urban environment of Beijing.
How its rolling dunes formed remains a bit of a mystery, with various theories regarding their origin. One popular theory suggests that the sand was transported from the Inner Mongolian Plateau by strong air currents and deposited there due to the obstruction of the Jundu Mountains.
Image via AI
The desert is 214 acres in total with the dunes now covering 85 acres – they have significantly shrunk over the years as trees were planted along the edges to control the spread of the sands, which were once perceived as a threat to Beijing.
Tianmo Desert's distinctive scenery has made it a popular location for filming. More than 300 films and television programs have been filmed here, including famous productions such as The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Armageddon, and Journey to the West.
Film set in Tianmo Desert. Image via Dashangu
In addition to checking out film sets, visitors can engage in a variety of activities, including sandboarding, sand skiing, camel rides, and dune buggy excursions.
The desert also features ancient historical relics such as rammed earth beacon towers of the Great Wall and ancient fortresses of the Yan State
(Although, with all the film sets abandoned there over the years, it might be difficult to tell the real ruins from the fake ruins…)
Deceiving ruins in Tianmo. Image via AI
Transportation:
Bus: The journey takes approximately two hours and cost RMB28 for a one-way trip. Take bus line 880 from Deshengmen Station in Beijing and get off at Tianmo Station. Buses depart at 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, and 4pm.
Shacheng Passenger Station is the terminal of bus line 880, and buses depart back for Deshengmen Station at 6am, 8am, 10am, 2pm, and 3.30pm. It takes about 35 minutes for the bus to reach Tianmo Station depending on traffic.
Car: The drive takes about 1.5 hours; you can hire a private car and driver for a more flexible and comfortable trip. Depending on the type and size of the car, you can expect the cost of hiring one for the day to range from RMB500-1,500.
Cost: The entrance fee is RMB30 and children under 1.2m get in for free. There are additional costs for activities in the area, but most are quite affordable (e.g. RMB30/hour for sand skiing).
When to Visit: The Tianmo Desert is open to guests from 8am-6pm. The recommended time of the year to visit is between May and November (some activities may not be available during the off-season).
Whether you're interested in outdoor adventures, exploring historical sites, or simply enjoying the tranquil beauty of a desert landscape, Tianmo Desert offers a unique and memorable experience near Beijing.
Tianmo Desert Base Area, Longbao Mountain, Nanxinpu Town, Huailai County, Zhangjiakou, Hebei
[Cover image via AI]
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