Habahexi Singing Sand Dunes

You may have heard of the Singing Sand Dunes in Dunhuang, but you might not know about the ones in Habahexi County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang. On any clear, rain-free day, you can hear a true symphony of nature here — the resonance between you and the sand dunes. The Singing Sand Dunes are located in the desert between the Berezek River, a tributary of the Irtysh River, and the Alakol River, which forms the China-Kazakhstan border...

Habahexi Singing Sand Dunes

You may have heard of the Singing Sand Dunes in Dunhuang, but you might not know about the ones in Habahexi County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang. On any clear, rain-free day, you can hear a true symphony of nature here — the resonance between you and the sand dunes.

The Singing Sand Dunes are situated in the desert between the Berezek River, a tributary of the Irtysh River, and the Alakol River, the China-Kazakhstan border river. It is a chain of sand dunes extending from north to south. The relative height of the dunes is about 25 meters, and the sand grains are relatively coarse, clean, and free of dust. The main components are quartz, feldspar, and dark-colored minerals. The dunes stretch approximately 1 kilometer in length and 100–200 meters in width. The sand is uniform in texture and appears golden yellow and white, as clean and dust-free as if washed by clear water. During summer, the temperature on the sand dunes gets quite high, reaching around 30–40 degrees Celsius at noon, and direct skin contact can produce a strong burning sensation.

The greatest joy of visiting the Singing Sand Dunes lies in climbing and sliding down the dunes. As you slide down along the slopes, you can feel the entire dune vibrate behind you, accompanied by a loud roaring sound, like a majestic symphony being played. From the top of the dunes, you can gaze at the farmlands of Mahal-Kakuli County in East Kazakhstan, temporarily forgetting the crowds and stresses of city life. Instead, you can immerse yourself quietly in nature’s embrace and feel the closeness and harmony between humans and the natural world. Perhaps this distant view will also inspire thoughts about the strength of a nation, its history, and its people — because beyond the border fence, those lush, picturesque, green landscapes were once grazing lands where our herders lived and worked. The area from the 185th Regiment to the Singing Sand Dunes to Bai Sha Lake lies entirely along the China-Kazakhstan border, with the Alakol River forming the boundary. Other nearby attractions include the Irtysh River outflow point. A bridge has been built between the southern and northern sections of Nanwan and Beiwang, directly connecting the 185th Regiment to the 186th Regiment in Jimunai County, thus linking up the route for border tourism. The journey from the county town to the 185th Regiment passes by the Berezek River. At the 60-kilometer road sign, there is a tomb dedicated to Saylik Hujabai, a national wrestling champion of the Kazakh ethnicity — an honor awarded by the General Administration of Sport of China.

Dear friends, no matter how beautiful the descriptions may be, they cannot compare to your own experience. Take action now — head to the Singing Sand Dunes, listen to the “Sounds of Nature,” and feel the magic of these “singing sands.”