It is 6 kilometers (3.73 miles) south of the center of Dunhuang, near the Dunes of Singing Sands, and is said to be the point where the oasis meets the desert. Crescent Moon Lake is a natural spring fed pond measuring about 240 meters from east to west, and 50 meters from north to south.

Today it has an average depth of about 2.4 meters, although in past times all of the dimensions of the lake were larger. In all of the years the desert has never filled up the lake. This was maybe due to the pattern of the winds, or maybe magic or the gods.

Some say it reminds them of the eye of a beautiful woman, lucid, beautiful and amorous. Some say it looks like the mysterious, gentle and seductive lips of a pretty woman, or a slice of lush, sweet and crystal cantaloupe.

Actually, it resembles a crescent fallen down into this desert. Besides the rare view where an oasis meets the desert, you can enjoy some fun sand adventures, such as riding camels.