Noritu Lake

Noritu Lake

Noritu Lake

The tall, graceful sand dunes embrace the clear waters and blue sky in a tender embrace. A walk around the lake lasting over two hours keeps you surrounded by natural wonders such as springs, sand dunes, trees…

reflections, reeds, and birds—an ethereal, dreamlike scene that feels like stepping into another world. German researchers once surveyed Noritu and found its deepest section to be 26 meters, making it the deepest and largest lake in the Badain Jaran Desert.

Noritu Lake is a saltwater lake, featuring an isolated rocky island of over 100 square meters in its center. The island is covered with lush shrubs and grasses, and numerous springs flow continuously. Tested and verified by both Chinese and international experts, the water quality is exceptionally high. Due to religious reverence and geographical protection, Noritu Spring has long been regarded as a sacred spring, and it remains one of the most pristine and well-preserved natural springs. On calm days, boating on the lake may lead you to unexpectedly encounter two V-shaped, dark red stone pillars underwater. Each pillar has a diameter of about 4 meters and extends approximately 18 meters from the water's surface to the bottom, standing like legendary golden needles piercing the lakebed. High-quality spring water continuously gushes from these pillars. What material are these dark red pillars made of? How were they formed? Why does sweet water emerge from a saltwater lake? To the north of Noritu Lake, on days when the water is as clear as a mirror, you can look down into the lake and see six distinct underwater sand dunes—these are not mere reflections of the surrounding dunes. A well-known local photographer once attempted to capture them, but the images came out completely blank when developed. On the large sand dunes to the west of Noritu, there are a few hardy shrubs like tamarisk, which command great respect; it is said that those who lack reverence for life and casually break their branches will be met with merciless, mythical misfortune. Local herders confirm that such events have indeed occurred. Climbing any of the sand dunes here, especially those around Noritu, allows you to truly experience the boiling charm of the Singing Sand Kingdom. Like a mighty general, the sands roar as you tread, with thunderous sounds of footsteps and shifting dunes echoing behind you. If you're lucky, climbing the southwestern sand dunes of Noritu may reward you with a mirage on the lake’s surface—real yet surreal. About one kilometer south of Noritu lies Wutongtu Haizi, where brine shrimp eggs in the water and dense reeds along the shore attract hundreds of wild ducks and birds for feeding and resting. The area is also home to eagles, foxes, sand lizards, snakes… immersing you in a world of birds and a paradise for wildlife.