The world’s tallest sand dune

The world’s tallest sand dune

The Badain Jaran Desert is located in the western part of Alxa and covers a total area of 44,300 square kilometers, making it the second largest desert in China. “Badain Jaran” is a Mongolian term. “Badain” is a personal name, referring to someone who originally lived here, while “Jaran” is a numeral meaning sixty. Hundreds of years ago, people discovered that there were more than 60 lakes within this desert where Badain lived, hence the name Badain Jaran. Historically, especially during the Qing Dynasty, this area was used as a place of exile for prisoners. Towering peaks, singing sands, lakes, and sacred springs are known as the “Four Wonders” of the Badain Jaran Desert. It is renowned worldwide for its height, steepness, and ruggedness. The massive compound sand dune chains and pyramid-shaped dunes stand like towering mountains, with sand peaks, sand gullies, sand cliffs, sand valleys, and sand walls visible everywhere, creating a spectacular sight. The Djiyegul Sand Peak in the heart of the Badain Jaran Desert has an elevation of 1,700 meters and a relative height of 502 meters, which is over 100 meters higher than the highest peak in the Sahara, making it the world’s tallest sand dune. Singing sands are found throughout the area, earning it the title of the “Singing Sand Kingdom of the World.” The deep, rumbling sound of the singing sands resembles the roar of a fleet of airplanes and can be clearly heard from several kilometers away. More than 190 inland small lakes are scattered across the depths of the Badain Jaran Desert, with clear blue waters and birds playing on the surface, presenting a scene reminiscent of “Jiangnan amid the desert.”

Conquering may be part of human nature. Although humans have conquered the North and South Poles and Mount Everest, not everyone has the opportunity to do so. Challenging limits and surpassing oneself should be the essence of action, and choosing to climb the world’s tallest sand dune to boost one’s confidence is entirely a viable option for the majority. Since 2004, Alxa Shenzhou Travel Agency has organized the “Conquer the Fourth Pole of the World” desert adventure activity and will award a commemorative medal to every challenger who reaches the summit of the world’s tallest sand dune.