Mingsha Shan (Singing Sand Dunes) are situated about 4km south of Dunhuang. They are the largest and most impressive sand dunes in China. The main dunes rise to between 250m and 300m. They are called ˉSinging Sandsˇ because the shifting grains of sand make a humming noise in powerful winds. The Kumtagh Desert is a section of the Taklamakan Desert which lies east-southeast of the Desert of Lop.