Ever think the desert is barren and still? Look again.
West Ordos National Nature Reserve, spanning 436,116 hectares across Otog Banner and Wuhai City in Inner Mongolia, is a vibrant haven in the arid landscape. Established as a national reserve in 1997, it protects one of the most ecologically significant desert ecosystems in northern China.
This reserve is a living museum of ancient species and unique geology. It serves as a crucial refuge for rare and relict plants, including the Tertiary survivors Tetraena mongolica and Helianthemum songaricum — known as the “pandas of the plant world.” The area also shelters endangered wildlife such as wild Bactrian camels, goitered gazelles, and the iconic Ordos Relict Gull.
Beyond conservation, the reserve captivates with its dramatic scenery: from the summit of Zhuozishan Mountain to the ancient cliff carvings of Arzai Grottoes, every landscape tells a million year story of natural persistence.
A place where life thrives against the odds, West Ordos National Nature Reserve is more than a protected zone — it’s a testament to resilience, a classroom for scientists, and a quiet call to preserve our fragile natural heritage.
Come see the desert in full life.
