Golden reeds abound around Sand Lake, a wetland bordered by desert in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region. It turns into a frozen sea in winter, presenting a spectacular sight for visitors. [Photo provide to chinadaily.com.cn]

Sand Lake, a wetland bordered by a desert in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, turns into a frozen sea in the depths of winter, presenting a spectacular sight for visitors.

The lake, with 45 square kilometers of water surface, is about 42 km from Yinchuan, the region's capital city. Along with a neighboring 23-sq-km desert, the lake is listed as one of the country's 5-A level scenic spots, the highest level.

Now in winter, the water has frozen into ice, on which about a 1,000 local people work to harvest reeds that grow in the wetland. With the golden reeds, white snow, and yellow sand, the Sand Lake area presents a picturesque scene that draws many tourists to enjoy its beauty.