Khongoryn Els, Sand dune formation in Umnugobi Province, Mongolia.
This sand dune formation stretches approximately 62 miles (100 kilometers) in length and covers an area of about 373 square miles (965 square kilometers), with individual dunes rising up to 980 feet (300 meters) above the surrounding plain and bordered by the Altai Mountains to the north.
The dunes formed from ancient seabed sediments carried by wind over thousands of years, and the area became part of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park when it was established in 1965 and later expanded in 1993 to protect the diverse desert ecosystem.
The dunes are called Duut Mankhan or Singing Sands by local Mongolian herders because of the resonant sounds produced when wind moves the sand or during small avalanches, a phenomenon that resembles the noise of an aircraft engine and has been part of local folklore for generations.
The site is located approximately 112 miles (180 kilometers) from Dalanzadgad town and can only be accessed by private vehicle or organized tour, with visitors advised to bring sufficient water, protect electronic devices from sand, and climb early in the morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler.
The northern edge of the dunes is fed by underground springs from nearby mountains, creating the Khongor River and lush green meadows that support diverse wildlife including goitred gazelles, wild asses, and various bird species in an otherwise arid landscape.
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