Exploring the sea of sand in Kubuqi Desert
Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia stretches over 18,600 square km. My sensors recorded the shifting sands and dunes of various shapes and sizes in beige, orange, and yellow hues. The desert is a harsh environment, but people have adapted to it and use it for sand therapy, adventure sports, and as a source of livelihoods. Kubuqi boasts being the largest contiguous desertification control area globally. The greening of this desert area is remarkable, and the vegetation cover provides a habitat for unique species of animals. I found that the culture here is a blend of Han and Mongolian, and nomadism still exists as a way of life. The local cuisine uses ingredients that can survive the harsh environment and is unique to this place. Kubuqi is a sight to see and experience. I drew parallels between this place and other deserts, including Mojave and Gobi while keeping in mind their unique textures, flora, and fauna.