One of the most
geologically fascinating and beautiful deserts in the world
The Badain Jaran desert is the
fourth largest desert in the world roughly 150 kilometers north of
the Hexi corridor and covering an area of over 49,000 square
kilometers. It is home to the largest dunes on earth, the highest
of which tower over 450 meters tall and stretch over 5 km in
length. In addition to its megadunes, the Badain Jaran also boasts
roughly 140 spring fed-lakes that reside in the interspaces of its
giant megadunes, creating one of the most captivating desert
landscapes in the world. It is not a “Waterless
place”, from these lakes that the Badain Jaran
has derived its name, which means "mysterious lake" in
the local Mongolian dialect.
It is the largest
“booming” sand area in the world. By sliding down the sand dune, one can hear the
sand booming like the tolling of a huge bell or
the beating of a big drum. In the
evening, the strong winds make the sand slide down the dune slope,
producing booming by itself