Singing Sand Dunes (Mingsha Shan)

The Singing Sand Dunes (Chinese: 鳴沙山 Pinyin: míng shā shān) in Dunhuang, China, are the sand dunes that, when the wind blows, give out a singing or drumming sound. They are part of the Kumtag Desert.

These “singing” sands are caused by vibrations in the sand and require a combination of round sand grains, silica content, and humidity and emit a variety of sounds. A dune can exist in a desert like the Namib Desert or on the coast of Lake Michigan in Indiana.

Known as Sachu, it was a major stop on the ancient Silk Road and is best known for the nearby Mogao Caves. Dunhuang is situated in an oasis containing Crescent Lake and the Singing Sand Dunes.

Dunhuang—a Silk-Road oasis famed for the Mogao Grottoes—sees growing interest from overseas tourists now that visa-free entry for 45 nations is in effect. The new site's seven themed sections (“Uniquely in Dunhuang”, “Know Before You Go”, etc.)