25 Photographs of Some of the Largest Sand Dunes on Earth

Some of the largest stationary sand dunes on Earth are found in two deserts very far away from one another. Many of the tallest—which max out around 500 meters tall (~1,640 feet)—are found in the Badain Jaran Desert in China. The second largest—topping up around 300 meters tall (~985 ft)—span large swaths of the Namib Desert in southern Africa.

Both deserts belong on any adventure photographer’s bucket list.

There is awe to be discovered as you set up your tripod atop a 32 kilometer (20 mile) long dune in the Namibian desert and attempt to capture what your eyes can hardly believe they’re seeing; the same awe you’ll find in China, staring across a vast desert landscape of sand mountains broken up by over 100 spring-fed lakes.

But why tell when we can show? Here are some of our favorite 500px images of these incredible natural wonders:

Badain Jaran Desert

Namibian Desert

Have you been to either of these places? If you have, upload the photos you took to 500px and share them in the comments. And if you want to see more photos from either desert, visit the Badain Jaran and Namib deserts through 500px photographers’ eyes.