Located in the arms of Echoing-Sand Dune, Crescent Lake is a spring in the shape of a half moon. It has existed for at least two thousands years alongside Echoing-Sand Dune, never drying up. Crescent Lake is beautiful and clear.

For thousands of years, Crescent Lake has remained clear and flowing. It is a real desert wonder. There are many beautiful legends about the formation of the lake but, in fact, the most important reason is the landscape. The land here is a little lower so the altitude is fit for storing water. In addition, research has revealed that in this special crescent landform, the falling sands from the surrounding dune would be sent back to the other side of the nearby Echoing-Sand Dune. Thus, the sands do not engulf the lake.

But the lake, also a World Heritage Site, began shrinking in the 1970′s and is now about a third of its original size. In the 1990′s, officials tried pumping in water but quit because the transfers were polluting the lake. More recently, reservoirs have been built a short distance away in hopes that water would seep into the ground and help Crescent Lake, also called Crescent Moon Lake and Crescent Spring.

Fan Cun, head of the agency overseeing the lake is very worried: “We would have failed future generations if we watch this lake disappear.”