By love-89.com This year, the Badain Jaran Desert, primarily situated in Inner Mongolia’s Alxa League, has been in the spotlight. In July, it celebrated a significant achievement when the “Badain Jaran Desert—Sand Dune and Lake Complex” was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site during the 46th World Heritage Conference. This recognition has sparked considerable interest in its impressive sand dunes and enigmatic lakes.
Adjacent to the desert lies the Manda La Mountain Petroglyphs, which boast a rich history of over 6,000 years. These petroglyphs, featuring more than 4,000 rock paintings etched into a black basalt formation, tell a story of deep cultural significance. The name “Manda La” comes from the Mongolian language and means “to rise, prosper, and soar.” Historically, the Manda La Mountains were a nomadic territory for various ethnic groups, including the Xiongnu, Turkic, and Mongols, who cultivated a unique rock art culture through their enduring relationship with the land.
Alxa League is often referred to as the “Homeland of Camels,” with a domestication history that dates back over 5,000 years. The vibrant depictions of camels in the petroglyphs highlight the region’s early role in Bactrian camel domestication. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, there are about 38.6 million camels worldwide, but only 2.6 million are Bactrian, making up a mere 7% of the total camelid population. Notably, China serves as one of the primary habitats for these remarkable creatures.
The Badain Jaran Desert—Sand Dune and Lake Complex is celebrated for its “Five Marvels”: breathtaking peaks, singing sand dunes, countless lakes, divine springs, and ancient temples. To date, 144 lakes have been cataloged in this region, including 12 freshwater lakes. Among them, the “Listening to Sutras Spring,” located near Sumintalin Lake, is particularly renowned.
Song Jiebo, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of Alxa League, stated, “This spring continuously feeds the lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert, making it a vital resource and home for the local herders.” Another prominent site is Inderitu Lake, famous for its spring that erupts from 108 orifices on a rock covering just under three square meters, earning its designation as the “Divine Spring.”
The “Divine Spring” has its origins in subterranean confined water. The pressure from the higher water table in surrounding areas pushes the groundwater upward, causing it to burst through the rock’s crevices, thus replenishing the lake.
Achieving World Heritage status for the Badain Jaran Desert—Sand Dune and Lake Complex lays the groundwork for further research into the formation of desert dunes and the preservation of inter-dune lakes. This designation fills a significant gap in China’s natural World Heritage sites, as it is the first to classify a desert region.