This photo shows the Turpan Depression, which lies at the foot of the Bogda mountain range. The USGS says this is one of the few locations on Earth that is below sea level. The Turpan Depression contains a salt lake called Aydingkol Lake, which has a crystallized salt surface. The weather in this area is some of the strangest weather on the planet. As one resource describes it, "in summer, the temperature can reach as high as 47ºC (117ºF), while on the surface of the sand dunes, it may well be 82ºC (180ºF)." This photo was taken on Sept. 1, 1999.