Located in the hinterland of Alxa Right Banner, Inner Mongolia, the Badain Jaran Desert features one of the world’s most impressive sand dunes and network of lakes.

As the third largest desert in China, the Badain Jaran Desert is characterized by its unique and varied landscapes, including a high proportion of mega-dunes intersected by inter-dunal lakes.

The tallest mega-dune, called Bilutu, has a relative height of 460 meters, standing 1,611 meters above sea level, making it the tallest stabilized sand dune in the world.

Seven lakes can be spotted from the peak of Bilutu. These lakes are mostly saline and diversely colored, providing a thriving habitat for worms, mollusks, crustacea and certain species of fish.

The mega-dune and the lakes form a dynamic constellation, according to researchers. Some 144 lakes have been discovered in the desert area, 12 of which are freshwater.

With multiple sources of drinking water, a variety of plant and animal species thrive in the desert, including argali, sheep, camels, foxes and eagles. Efforts to restore the lakes and surrounding grasslands have been undertaken by the local government and nomads.

The Badain Jaran Desert was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List on July 26 this year at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in New Delhi, India.