(CFP)

Tourists ride camels in the Shapotou Desert Area, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

At least 2 billion yuan ($321 million) will be invested over the next five years to develop Shapotou as an international tourism destination, according to a cooperation agreement signed by the local government and the China National Travel Service (HK) Group Corp., the country's largest travel group.

The money will be spent on constructing tourist service centers, business districts and themed hotels as well as restaurants.