CGDG Lop Nur Village Visitor Centre

Oasis Interface: Reframing the Lakeside Scenery at Lop Nur Village Visitor Centre, Xinjiang

Led by Aedas Global Design Principal Kevin Wang, the lakeside CGDG Lop Nur Village Visitor Centre located in the scenic Lop Nur Village, Korla City, Xinjiang. The visitor centre integrates a visitor services hub and a restaurant, enhancing the experience for travellers exploring the region’s cultural and natural heritage.

It is surrounded by the dunes of Dongsha Mountain and bordered to the north by the Tarim River and desert wetlands. The location offers breathtaking natural scenery and rich ecological features, while also presenting climatic challenges such as extreme temperature variations and intense sunlight.

Inspired by the concept of ‘a lakeside village, shade beneath the dunes’, the architecture offers visitors a comfortable space for shelter, rest, and dining. It seamlessly integrates local natural and cultural elements, serving as an extension of the Lop Nur Village scenic area.

To harmonise the architecture with the surrounding landscape, the design adopts a standalone layout that blends with the vast natural environment, minimising the visual impact of built structures. Visitors enter the site via a bridge over the Tarim River and follow a landscaped pathway to the lakeside area. Existing landscape structures will be cleared to ensure unobstructed lake views from the centre. The striking contrast between the lake and desert creates a unique sense of place – like a ‘desert oasis’ at the heart of the visitor experience.

The roof design features multiple slopes, with the interior ceiling following the same gradient. Through re-angled and multi-faceted eaves, the design successfully resolves the challenge of constructing double-curved surfaces, resulting in a lighter and more dynamic roofline. To address the region’s hot climate, the building is elevated to create a floating effect. The large overhanging eaves not only enhance energy efficiency but also provide generous shaded areas, offering visitors a cool and comfortable retreat in the dry heat.

Drawing inspiration from the environment and traditional dwellings of Lop Nur Village, the building’s façade features earthy tones that harmonise with the surroundings while offering a distinct regional identity.

Material choices reflect both aesthetics and practicality – wood-textured aluminium panels evoke a natural feel while ensuring durability and low maintenance; glass enhances daylight and scenic views, strengthening the connection between architecture and nature; and rammed-earth–style modules echo local vernacular architecture, enriching the overall texture and cultural ambience. By incorporating elements from the surrounding landscape, the design achieves a balance between culture and functionality, blending seamlessly with the desert wetlands and nearby dunes.

‘The visitor centre is designed to serve as a natural extension of the Lop Nur village dwellings,’ Kevin shares. ‘It is more than a functional building – it is a place where culture and nature converge. Visitors can engage with the majestic landscape, experience the richness of regional heritage, and appreciate the unique harmony between humanity and nature.’

Project: CGDG Lop Nur Village Visitor Centre
Location: Xinjiang, China
Client: Xinjiang Beautiful China Resort

Gross Floor Area: 1,600 sq m
Completion Year: Ongoing

Design and Project Architect: Aedas
Design Director: Kevin Wang, Global Design Principal