Badain Jaran Desert

The Badain Jaran Desert (Chinese: 巴丹吉林沙漠), located in the northern part of Alxa Right Banner in Inner Mongolia’s Alxa League, is China’s third-largest desert and the world’s fourth-largest shifting-sand desert. Shaped by powerful winds over time, the towering dunes resemble waves in an ancient ocean and house countless natural wonders.
 

This surreal desert landscape features the world’s tallest stationary dunes, echoing sands that emit thunderous roars, hundreds of colorful desert lakes, mystical springs, and a centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Thanks to its stunning natural beauty and unique ecosystem, the Badain Jaran Desert has become a top destination for desert expeditions, trekking, photography, and cultural exploration.

Badain Jaran Desert Overview

Geographic Location
The desert lies in the north of Alxa Right Banner, west of the Yabulai Mountains, north of the Beida Mountains, east of the Ruoshui River, and south of Guaizi Lake. Its geographic coordinates are approximately between 39°30′–42° N latitude and 98°30′–104° E longitude.

Size and Significance

• Covering around 47,000 square kilometers, Badain Jaran is:
• China’s third-largest desert
• The country’s second-largest shifting sand desert
• The world’s fourth-largest desert by area
   

Name Origin
“Badain Jaran” comes from Mongolian. “Badain” is believed to derive from the name Badai, while “Jaran” can mean “haizi” (desert lakes) or “hell,” reflecting the desert’s extreme environment and mysterious charm.
 

World Heritage Status
On July 26, 2024, the “Badain Jaran Desert – Sand Dune and Lake Cluster” was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 46th World Heritage Committee session in New Delhi, India. It is China’s only desert-themed natural world heritage site and the first such site in Inner Mongolia.
 

What to See in the Badain Jaran Desert

Towering Sand Peaks
The desert is home to Bilutu Peak, the tallest stationary sand dune on Earth. Rising to 1,611.009 meters above sea level, with a relative height of 460 meters, it has earned the nickname “The Mount Everest of Sand.” The ridgeline is razor-sharp, and the dune walls appear as steep as cliffs—offering a breathtaking vista of endless golden waves.
 

Singing Sands (Booming Dunes)
One of the desert’s most magical features is the “singing sands.” The Baoritaolegai Dune Area is famously known as the “Kingdom of Booming Sands.” When wind flows over or travelers slide down certain dunes, the grains of sand rub and vibrate, creating a loud, resonating sound like thunder. This rare acoustic phenomenon is enhanced by the specific structure and moisture of the sand particles, as well as the shape of the dunes.
 

Multicolored Desert Lakes
The Badain Jaran Desert has 144 scattered lakes—a stunning contrast to the vast sandscape. Some are salty, some fresh, and some appear in brilliant hues such as turquoise, emerald green, and even pink. Not to miss is Badain Lake, located on the southern edge of the desert near the gateway town of Ejin Banner. The lake is surrounded by reeds and trees on one side and a towering sand dune on the other. Visitors can walk on a boardwalk that stretches across the lake and enjoy views of fish swimming in the clear waters. Miraculously, some lakes in the area even feature both saltwater and freshwater separated by a single sand ridge—or even within the same lake.

Sacred Springs
The Yinderitu Haizi (音德日图海子) hosts 108 natural springs, an oasis of life in the harsh desert environment. Located on the west side of Bilutu Peak, Yinderitu is a salty lake with a mysterious island in the center. Despite being only 3 square meters wide, the island holds over a hundred freshwater springs that either bubble or gush out, keeping the surrounding dunes stable and nourishing vegetation and wildlife. The clear, sweet-tasting water has earned it the title of “Sacred Spring of the Desert.”
 

Desert Temple: Badain Jaran Monastery
Nestled among the dunes lies the Badain Jaran Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist temple built in 1755. Known as the “Forbidden Palace of the Desert,” the temple blends Han-style courtyard architecture with Tibetan-style religious halls. Inside the grand hall, visitors can see vibrant murals, prayer wheels, and monks continuing daily rituals. It is the only desert temple in the region that has remained in continuous use since its founding.
 

Best Time to Visit & Cultural Events

The ideal time to explore the Badain Jaran Desert is between June and October, with September and October being the best months for hiking and desert trekking due to milder temperatures and less extreme weather.

If you visit in August or September, don’t miss the Badain Jaran Cultural Tourism Festival, which features:

Traditional Mongolian sports like horse racing, camel racing, and dune climbing

Thrilling off-road races with motorcycles and 4WD jeeps

Cultural showcases like photography contests and rock and mineral exhibitions

How to Get There

Getting to the Badain Jaran Desert requires some planning, as it is located in a remote area of western Inner Mongolia. Here are the general steps:

First, reach one of the nearby major cities, such as:

Lanzhou or Jinchang in Gansu Province

Alxa Left Banner (Alxa Zuoqi) in Inner Mongolia

Then, transfer to Badain Jaran Town or Yabulai Town via long-distance bus or chartered vehicle.

Finally, arrange a private jeep tour or travel agency package to enter and explore the desert. Independent driving is not possible due to the extreme terrain and lack of roads.

Most travelers start their adventure from Badain Jaran or Yabulai, where you can hire local drivers or join an organized tour.

If you’d like a hassle-free experience, feel free to contact us to help plan your journey through the Badain Jaran Desert, Inner Mongolia, Dunhuang, or other stunning regions of China.