The scenic area has been listed in the first group of national AAAAA scenic area and it is one of 35 greatest national attractions of China.

Sand Lake scenic area is located in Xidatan of Pingluo County, which is 56 kilometers away from Yinchuan City in the northwest. Developed and built in 1990, it has a capacity of nearly 500 thousand tourists each year and has been a famous tourist resort in the northwest China. It is chosen as one of 35 greatest national attractions of China for its distinct and graceful natural scenery. On May 8, 2007, the Sand Lake scenic area of Shizuishan City has been formally approved as a national AAAAA-class scenic area by National Tourism Administration.

With ten thousand mu water area, five thousand mu sand dunes, two thousand mu reeds and one thousand mu lotus pond, the Sand Lake is rich in fish and birds. More than ten species of precious birds, such as, White crane, black stork, swan and other birds inhabit here. You can watch birds curveting and gamboling afar in the tower for watching birds. A large number of birds’ nests are built between reeds near water and in the bottom of reedbed. Therefore, birds’ eggs of various colors spread in the reeds, which can be called a greatest wonder.

Besides many species of birds, Sand Lake is rich in fish of all kinds. In the aquarium located in the south bank of the lake, you could see several dozens of precious fish, including Wuchang fish, doll fish (giant salamander) which are rare in the northern part of China and large turtle with more than one meter body girth.

The facilities for pleasure, such as sand skiing, riding on camel, riding on horse, swimming, fishing, gliding, beach volleyball, football and so on, have been set around the southern part of the Sand Lake. There is also a program of sightseeing by plane.

Many distinct aquatic sports have been developed in the scenic area, such as, aquatic motorboat, surfing and landing on water, which provide an opportunity to demonstrate themselves for the visitors who love sports and taking risk.