Two "Northbound Routes," are you ready?

Bypassing the trendy tags, delve into the folds of geography and culture, to Zhongwei, Ningxia, to experience the desert's aesthetic of life, to Laoniuwan, Inner Mongolia, to feel the wildness and romance left by the bend of the Yellow River. Here, the long daylight is more generous, the Milky Way hangs lower, and the evening breeze carries the affection of the high mountains. 🌅 Route 1️⃣: Embark on a journey to find the answer Why do people repeatedly fall in love with sunsets? Head to Dalezhiyen Yellow River Grand Canyon; when the last ray of light sinks into Laoniuwan's Yellow River, maybe you'll know the answer. Long gorges and flat lakes, reflections dancing, the once rushing Yellow River water meanders slowly around the mountains, revealing a surprisingly peaceful side. Standing on the cliff edge looking down, the blue sky and white clouds shimmer in the clear waves. When the sunset falls to the canyon's edge, the clouds seem to ignite, changing colors layer by layer. From orange-red to crimson purple, finally sinking into indigo. The afterglow of the sunset bathes the ochre rock walls, instantly gilding an entire face with gold foil. A day in the Yellow River Grand Canyon lets us rediscover childhood favorites: daydreaming, zoning out, reading, napping, playing in the water, gathering with friends, and immersing in the romance of the sunset. 🚗 Hohhot to Dalezhiyen (Hohhot Yellow River Grand Canyon Store) self-drive about 175km, 2h45mins ⭐ Route 2️⃣: Head to the Great Northwest From the majestic Helan Mountains to the ultimate encounter with the desert. Drive through a scenic corridor composed of desert, Yellow River, Gobi, and ancient villages. Along this journey, traffic is sparse, the throttle depends entirely on your mood, and the road blends almost seamlessly with nature, letting you become a modern nomad. ⛰️ Under Helan Mountain, a purple romantic tipsy time Outside is desolation and gravel; stepping into Dalezhiyen Shadolan Winery feels like entering an oasis. The courtyard is wrapped in green vines, the giant leaves of monstera shine with oiliness, figs hang full on the branches. Pick any corner at random, and you can enjoy an incredibly relaxed afternoon. A bottle of chilled rosé awakened by the terroir, paired with Ningxia’s local summer melons and fruits, is just perfect. Swirling the wine glass, when the last purple glow sinks into the Helan ridge, we light a bonfire in the vineyard. The flames lick the night wind of the frontier, sparks crackle and pop. Maybe there’s no music, maybe no dancing, but under the starry sky, this is an endless midsummer night’s dream. 🌌 Head westward, see the romance and wilderness of the Northwest When sober, drive to even more boundless places, becoming a person with no boundaries with the "sand." Explore the desert, dive from the heights of Shapotou, visit the Yellow River, and the ancient Ming Great Wall. The rich accommodation and business formats make desert days no longer dull: coffee, fine wine, bookstores, pottery, ranches, etc. If you like lively scenes, there are occasional singer performances and fireworks; if you seek tranquility, stroll around the accommodations and nearby areas to encounter a pure Northwest starry sky. 🚗 Dalezhiyen Shadolan Winery (Yinchuan Store) to Dalezhiyen (Zhongwei Shapotou Store) self-drive about 215km, 2h15mins