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The ruins of a neolithic city, which flourished between 2300 BC and 1800 BC. A new archaeological museum opened at the site in November 2023.
Shimao is a Neolithic site in Shenmu County, Shaanxi, China. The site is located in the northern part of the Loess Plateau, on the southern edge of the Ordos Desert. It is dated to around 2000 BC, near the end of the Longshan period, and is the largest known walled site of that period in China, at 400 ha. It is one of the Yellow River civilizations. The fortifications of Shimao were originally believed to be a section of the Great Wall of China, but the discovery of jade pieces prompted an archaeological investigation, which revealed that the site was of Neolithic age.
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高家堡古城
The walled city of Gaojiabao was founded in the Ming Dynasty and has many historical sites, including old residences and temples, as well as the city walls and gates. Unfortunately you won't find any accommodation here, so it's best to come here on a day trip.
二郎山风景区
Tranquil spot with several temples and fantastic views from the top of the mountain. As of May 2021, the park is temporarily closed.
神木市博物馆
Entry is limited to 800 visitors per day, including 400 in the morning and 400 in the afternoon.
红碱淖
The largest desert freshwater lake in China. Sadly, due to climate change and human activities such as coal mining, the lake has been shrinking since the 1970s. Nonetheless, it remain ecologically important and is a haven for rare birds. Since the 2010s, some serious efforts have been made to replenish the lake. For the visitor, various forms of water transport are available to explore the lake, and you can also go for a ride on a camel in the nearby desert.