Deep in the Tengger Desert lies a “heart of the Earth that beats”. Why do people say this? What is the truth behind this heart?
The Tengger Desert is located at the southern edge of the Gobi Desert. It is the fourth largest desert in China, covering an area of up to 42,700 km2. In this desert, sand dunes, mountains, lakes, and plains are interspersed. Among them, sand dunes account for 71% of the area, primarily consisting of mobile sand dunes with heights of about 10-20 meters.
A “Special Heart” in the Desert
Deep in the Tengger Desert, there is a “Heart of the Earth” hidden. (Image: Baidu).
The sand dunes here often have a crescent shape, lining up in succession. The sand is very fine and has a beautiful golden color. The Tengger Desert has long been a famous tourist destination, not only for its stunning terrain but also because it is home to the “heart of the Earth”. This is the O Lan Lake. But why is it called that?
In Mongolian, “Wulan” means red. O Lan Lake exudes an irresistible charm due to the unique color of its water. The water in O Lan Lake is a bright red mixed with white. This interplay inadvertently makes the surface of the lake resemble blood vessels. With its water color and heart-like shape, O Lan Lake has earned the nickname “the heart of the Earth”.
O Lan Lake has a strikingly unique red color. (Image: Baidu).
According to scientists, the special red color of O Lan Lake is due to three main factors:
- First, the low terrain. In a desert environment, low and enclosed terrain is very conducive to water accumulation on the surface and from underground sources. Because of the low-lying terrain in the Tengger Desert, many lakes can be found.
- Second, the arid climate. Low rainfall and high evaporation rates are key factors in the formation of salt lakes like O Lan.
- Third, the presence of three types of microorganisms in the lake water. These include Artemia, Dunaliella salina, and halophilic bacteria; the active compounds like astaxanthin and carotenoids from these organisms “dye” the lake’s water red. Additionally, O Lan Lake has high concentrations of salt and metals, with salt forming long white stripes across the lake’s surface.
O Lan Lake has a red and white color due to the influence of microorganisms and metal ores, along with high salt concentration. (Image: Baidu)
The color of O Lan Lake’s water changes with the seasons. In summer, when rainfall in the desert increases and the water level rises, the lake’s water turns pink. However, as autumn arrives and rainfall decreases, the water level drops, causing the lake’s water to become even redder.
According to local residents, O Lan Lake is over 2 meters deep. The best time to visit the lake is from July to September. At this time, the weather is sunny, surrounded by lush green mountains and sprawling grass, and under the sunlight, the colors of O Lan Lake become even more vibrant.
From July to September is when O Lan Lake has the most beautiful colors. (Image: Baidu)
Due to climatic conditions, the Tengger Desert has over 400 large and small lakes. Despite the large number of lakes, salt lakes similar to O Lan are quite rare. In fact, O Lan Lake consists of one large lake and several smaller lakes scattered around.
O Lan Lake is a saline inland lake with a history of over 100 years. It began to dry up gradually from 1995. Before it started to shrink, it covered an area of 175 km2 and was the 12th largest lake in Mongolia.
Today, O Lan Lake is famous and attracts many visitors due to its uniqueness. (Image: Baidu)
With its strange beauty, O Lan Lake is currently a scenic spot drawing many tourists. However, scientists warn visitors not to bathe in O Lan Lake due to its high alkalinity.
