Badain Jaran Desert, located in the Alashan Plateau in the hyper-arid and temperate desert region of northwestern China, is the third largest desert in China and hosts an irreplaceable natural heritage of lake and dune desert features. Criterion (vii): Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes display spectacular ongoing geological and geomorphic features of desert landscapes and landforms subject to a temperate, hyper-arid climate. 144 inter-dunal lakes exhibit a myriad of colours, caused by different levels of salinity and microbial communities. IntegrityThe property covers the continuous distribution area of mega-dunes and associated inter-dunal lakes, as well as other types of desert features. To ensure the integrity of the inter-dunal lakes, it is essential to ensure that all groundwater sources feeding the lakes are carefully managed and not over-exploited.