Wuhai Coal Museum gives a fascinating history of how this mining hub became a city over the past few decades. Wang Kaihao / China Daily

A wetland called Longyouwan, which literally means “the bay where dragons swim”, makes me stop to take photos.

The Yellow River's water is clear and the desert spreads into the distance across the water. The Helan Mountains provide the scenery on the other side.

A friendly old fisherman invites me to take a rest in his cabin. Sitting by the window watching the landscape and listening to his tales of fishing, the busyness of city life fades away.

Returning to the downtown area, I notice another natural wonder: two huge sand dunes by the highway.

It is said the sand blew from the desert on the other side of Yellow River hundreds of years ago. Locals called it Jinshawan, meaning Bay of Golden Sand.

Because my limited time in Wuhai does not allow me to go across the river to explore the desert, I decide to have my adventure here.

Some people are fishing by a small lake between the two dunes, cheering every time they get a catch, but my attention has been caught by the dune buggies.

Driving the buggies over the sand dunes is a little like being on a roller-coaster, and I am left feeling a little dizzy. Perhaps next time I will take a camel ride instead.

Yang Fang contributed to this story.