In late July, Yu Xiaohui drove from Beijing to the eastern edge of the Kubuqi Desert in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, at her 9-year-old daughter’s request to see sand. What she expected to be a barren wasteland turned out to be a desert playground complete with luxury hotels, water parks, cable cars, and camel rides. The Kubuqi Desert, once one of China’s most unforgiving landscapes, has undergone a dramatic transformation. Its outer edges have become a sprawling resort complex, with desertification control rates rising from 4.6% at the start of the 21st century to about 50% today. This marks a significant shift from losing the battle against desertification to successfully reclaiming the land. A prime example of this transformation is Xiangshawan, or "Singing Sand Bay," a 5A-level scenic area known for the low hum emitted by its dunes when wind passes over them. This sound is caused by honeycomb-like pores in the sand grains that vibrate under pressure. Initially opened in 1984 as a simple tourist attraction, Xiangshawan evolved into a full-fledged resort complex after a corporate restructuring in 1999, becoming the nation’s first desert resort. Visitors can now enter via cable car and travel between resort islands using vintage trains or off-road vehicles. Camels also serve as a traditional means of transport across the dunes. At the heart of the resort is the Lotus Hotel, a white, flower-shaped structure on Liansha Resort Island that opened in 2016. The hotel offers an all-inclusive experience, with peak-season rates starting at 2,280 yuan per person for a two-day, one-night stay. Guests receive VIP access to cable cars and unlimited entry to other leisure islands, which feature rides, performances, a pool, and evening activities such as bonfires, fireworks, and stargazing. The resort emphasizes a relaxed approach to vacationing, where even doing nothing—like lying by the pool for a morning—is considered a meaningful experience. Yu and her daughter spent their first night stargazing with a guide who identified constellations such as the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, stars from a classic Chinese folk tale about lovers separated by the Milky Way. The next day, they explored desert plants and spotted a lizard native to the region. International visitors are also increasingly drawn to the area. Wei Hongyan, general manager of Xiangshawan’s marketing company, noted that the resort offers curated tour routes, foreign-language guides, and Halal dining to cater to overseas guests. Direct flights from South Korea, Thailand, and other regional markets have made access to nearby Ordos Ejin Horo Airport easier. In July, Xiangshawan welcomed about 16,000 foreign tourists—up 176% year-on-year—with most coming from South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.