Badain Jaran Desert included on World Heritage candidate lists

A stunning aerial view of a lake in the nominated Badain Jardan Desert -- Towers of Sand and Lakes area. [Photo/northnews.cn]

The site was nominated for its Aeolian geomorphology of high sandy hills and lakes. There are 144 lakes in the nominated site, covering a total area of over 2,300 hectares, 74 of which are perennial permanent lakes with water, and 12 are freshwater lakes with good water quality that are replenished by springs. Scientists continue to debate the exact sources of the water of the lakes.