The apparent geographic anomaly of a pristine lake bounded by a massive sand dune, in the Badain Jardan Desert, in Alshaa Right Banner, in Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo/north news.com]

The unique Badain Jadan Desert of China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region -- with its enormous mega sand dunes and multiple lakes -- has been included in a list of candidates for UN World Heritage recognition, according to local media reports.

The reports said that the nominated central region of the Desert, called by UNESCO the Badain Jardan Desert – Towers of Sand and Lakes area, was included on a tentative list for China's world heritage sites.