Crescent Lake near Dunhuang, China Jul 19, 2023

Crescent Lake near Dunhuang, China

Crescent Lake is a captivating natural wonder hidden in the vast Gobi Desert near the Chinese city of Dunhuang in Gansu province. This oasis, named for its unusual shape, has been a vital water source here for centuries. The lake is thought to have formed in a valley carved by wind and been fed by an underground spring. It sits amid Dunhuang"s "singing" sand dunes, which make a noise when the wind blows. The sand dunes also help stop the lake from being swallowed by sand and conservation efforts have ensured that it doesn"t dry out. Visitors enjoy boating on the lake, camel rides through the surrounding dunes, and seeing ancient Buddhist art and murals in the nearby Mogao Caves.

© R7 Photo/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

Jul 19, 2018Cosplay strongly encouraged
Jul 19, 2019A place fit for the gods
Jul 19, 2020Venice by night
Jul 19, 2021Wander the ancient medina
Jul 19, 2022National Bison Month
Jul 19, 2024A young jaguar on a riverbank, Pantanal, Brazil
Jul 19, 2025National Moth Week

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 30, 2025International Day of Friendship
Mar 31, 2020What a twist
Jul 1, 2020Canada s $20 view
May 12, 2021A visit to Limerick on Limerick Day
Oct 3, 2023Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia
Oct 12, 2021High tide at the walled city
Dec 23, 2018Make your list and check it twice
Nov 8, 2024Glacial rivers in Iceland
Jul 31, 2023Rock House in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Feb 15, 2020Whales in winter
Feb 9, 2022Ceremony Hall at Sweden s Icehotel
Aug 21, 2019Look before you leap
Oct 10, 2022Indigenous Peoples Day
Dec 15, 2023SantaPark, Lapland, Finland
Apr 5, 2018Mada’in Saleh archeological site in Saudi Arabia
Jul 26, 2025International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
May 13, 2021Hues of Hokkaido
Mar 10, 2019In praise of the pipes
Jun 8, 2024National Rivers Month
Jun 21, 2025World Giraffe Day
Sep 18, 2025Dunquin Pier, County Kerry, Ireland
Jun 11, 2020A midsummer twilight s dream
Oct 26, 2025National Pumpkin Day
Aug 28, 2021Relationship status: It s complicated
Jul 28, 2021A goldie gala
Jan 28, 2023The Bahamas as seen from the ISS
Mar 7, 2020Summer winds down in the Southern Hemisphere
Jan 30, 2026St. Michaels Mount in Marazion, Cornwall, England
Jun 27, 2023Sedona, Arizona
Jan 23, 2022Wedded Rocks, Japan