Mingsha

Mingsha, also known as Mingsha Shan or the Singing Sand Mountain (鸣沙山), is a large sand dune located in the Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area near Dunhuang in Gansu Province, northwest China. It lies to the east of Dunhuang along the edge of the Gobi Desert, close to the Crescent Moon Spring. The dune field stretches for several kilometers, and the dune crest rises to about 100 meters tall.

The name derives from the audible sounds produced when wind moves dry sand grains, creating a “singing,” humming, or booming tone. The phenomenon results from the resonance of moving fine quartz grains under suitable wind and dryness conditions, with the sound affected by grain size, moisture, wind speed, and the rate of sand movement.

The site features a crescent-shaped spring at the dune’s base, commonly known as Crescent Moon Spring, which provides an oasis setting at the foot of the dunes. The area is a popular tourism destination, with visitors often ascending the dune via a built path or stairs, and options such as camel rides and scenic viewpoints enhancing the experience. The Singing Sand Mountain is frequently visited together with other Dunhuang attractions, including the nearby Mogao Grottoes, reflecting its role as a notable landmark on the Silk Road corridor.

Mingsha represents a notable natural and cultural feature in the desert landscape of northwestern China, illustrating the interplay between wind-driven geology and human heritage along Dunhuang’s historic routes.