Aeolian dust from deserts and drylands in Asia travels thousands of kilometers, affecting air quality, climate, and ecosystems across the Northern Hemisphere. While the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts are well-known dust sources, this study shows that the vast Central Asian steppe also contributes significantly. We analyzed the oxygen isotope “fingerprints” of quartz grains in soil samples from 23 sites across Central and East Asia. These isotopic patterns help trace where dust comes from and how it moves through the atmosphere. Our findings reveal that both regional geology and seasonal winds—like the East Asian monsoon and the westerly jet stream—play key roles in dust transport to places like Japan.