Once-barren area now a popular tourist attraction

Shapotou scenic zone, once virtually a wasteland, has become a popular attraction for tourists who visit the Ningxia Hui autonomous region following the success of sand control efforts.

Shapotou, which means "the end of a desert" in Chinese, is in the city of Zhongwei, where the Yellow River meets the Tangeer Desert. Visitors can enjoy both splendid desert scenery and a beautiful river view.

Before the 1950s, frequent sandstorms hit the area 330 days a year and the rate of plant coverage was less than 1 percent, according to Zhang Hongxia, a tourist guide.