Atlas of China
Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Dunes 鸣沙山月牙泉Míngshā Shān Yuèyá Quán
A crescent-shaped spring among towering dunes, right on the edge of town
- Best time
- May–Oct
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Days to budget
- Half a day
- Stay in
- Dunhuang
- Region
- Gansu
- Type
- Nature
- Listed as
- 5A scenic area
Why go to Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Dunes
Just south of Dunhuang the desert begins abruptly at Mingsha Shan, the 'Echoing Sand Mountains'. Tucked into a hollow between the dunes is Crescent Lake, a small spring-fed pool with a rebuilt pavilion on its shore; around it you can ride camels along the ridges, slide down the sand or climb the crest for sunset.
The story
The dunes owe their name to a strange sound: when sand cascades down a steep face, it can set off a low, booming hum. Travellers have marvelled for centuries that the little spring is never swallowed by the shifting sand around it.
What to see at Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Dunes
- Mingsha Dunes 鸣沙山: The dune ridge is the main climb, with views over the sand sea; the name means 'echoing sand'.
- Crescent Spring and pavilion 月牙泉: The classic view looks down from the dune crest over the crescent-shaped pool and the wooden pavilion beside it.
- Camel rides 骆驼骑行: Camels carry riders in a line along the dune ridges, a favourite way to see the desert.
- Sand sliding 滑沙: Sliding or sandboarding down the steep dune face is one of the most popular activities.
How to visit Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Dunes
The park is a short bus or taxi ride from central Dunhuang. Many visitors arrive a couple of hours before sunset, ride a camel, climb the crest of the dunes for the view down to the lake and stay for the light. A short visit covers the lake and a quick climb; a longer stay adds camels, sand sliding and the sunset.
How to get to Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Dunes
The entrance is about 5 km south of central Dunhuang, a short taxi, bus or bike ride.
Where to stay
Stay in Dunhuang city, only a short ride from the dunes, with the night market and most restaurants nearby.
What to eat
- Donkey-meat yellow noodles 驴肉黄面: Hand-pulled yellow noodles with braised donkey meat, a Dunhuang speciality.
- Apricot-skin drink 杏皮水: A tart, cooling drink made from dried apricot skins.
- Lamb skewers 烤羊肉串: Grilled lamb skewers from the Shazhou Night Market.
Tips for visiting Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Dunes
- Arrive in the late afternoon and stay for sunset from the top of the dunes.
- Rent the bright orange shoe covers at the gate to keep the sand out.
- Climbing the soft dunes is hard work; bring water and sun protection.
Nearby
- Mogao Caves 莫高窟 10 km
A thousand years of Buddhist murals in desert cliff caves on the Silk Road
Trips with Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Dunes
- The Silk Road by train: Xi’an to Dunhuang, Turpan and Ürümqi 11 days · Xi'an, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan and Ürümqi
On the map
Open Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Dunes on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.
Open Crescent Lake & Singing Sand Dunes on the map