Neither of us had ever visited a desert region before, so Mingsha Mountain was our most anticipated attraction. With the perfect weather and clear blue skies, our excitement was palpable!

After preparing our gear at the hotel – all camera equipment and essential sand gaiters – we set off. Another short 10-15 minute drive, and the desert suddenly lay before us – a truly breathtaking sight. Exchanging our pre-booked tickets at the visitor center was quick with no queues. Equipped with our sand gaiters, we stepped onto the sand. The vast, boundless landscape offered many optional activities like camel rides and desert buggies, but we declined them all. Our goal was the top of the sand dunes, so we headed straight for the "Sky Ladder" entrance. The dunes looked deceptively close. Walking in the sand with gaiters was surprisingly strenuous, and it took 15-20 minutes just to reach the base of the ladder.

The scenic area provides three long wooden ladders to assist with climbing the main dune. At the start of the "Sky Ladder," we felt confident, thinking we could reach the top quickly. But as we gained altitude, the ladder would disappear and reappear in the wind-blown sand. Every step was a battle against the fierce wind and the unsettling feeling of feet sinking into loose sand. A moment's inattention could lead to a misstep. Halfway up, I had to stop and rest. After three or four more breaks, it took nearly 40 minutes to finally reach the top. The sight was astonishing. The dunes, sculpted by the sun, looked like frozen golden waves, forming perfect, razor-sharp ridges against the sky. We spent a good two to three hours roaming the summit, taking countless photos. By 6 pm, the sky was still bright. We decided to rest and wait for sunset, hoping to perhaps catch a glimpse of the desert stars. Experiencing such majestic and beautiful dunes firsthand for the first time – it felt like a dream come true. The sky was incredibly blue that day, but unfortunately, clouds blocked the sunset. Around 8:30 pm, dusk settled, and the scenic area lights came on. With no evening performances in the off-season, the dunes were soon swallowed by darkness. Without the lights, it would have been impossible to get one's bearings. (Tip: If you plan to stargaze on the dunes, bring a small flashlight!) The moon hanging over the dunes was exceptionally beautiful, but March isn't ideal for stargazing. Many stars were visible, but photographing them was challenging. After a few unsuccessful attempts, we headed back down. Back at the hotel, we found sand in our masks, glasses frames, pockets – everywhere, including our faces. A true taste of the sand and dust of the Northwest!