Singing dunes in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park. Sand ridges rise against dark mountains, and nothing stirs but the wind.
About Khongoryn Els
Khongoryn Els are known as the “Singing Sands”. In the far south of the Gobi, inside Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, a belt of dunes 6–12 km wide runs for about 100 km along the foot of the Altai range. Some crests reach 300 m. When the wind moves the sand, or a slope slides, the dunes give off a deep hum that has been compared to an aircraft. Their curves end in sharp ridges that change shape with the wind and shift from yellow to white as the light changes. Along the northern edge, the small Khongoryn Gol river feeds green pastures where camels and horses graze.
Getting there
- Best months
- Not stated
- Nearest airport / gateway
- Gurvan Saikhan Airport (DLZ) at Dalanzadgad, with flights from Ulaanbaatar (daily in summer). By road it is 6–7 h from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad, then 2–3 h to the park.
- Permits & fees
- Protected-area entrance fee: 3,000 ₮ / US$3 per person.
- Sources
- en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Gobi_Gurvan_Saikhan_National_Park
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khongoryn_Els
en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Dalanzadgad
Photos of Khongoryn Els
