January 24th, 2013 Category: Deserts

China – January 7th, 2013

While deserts are usually associated with an imaginary of scorching temperatures and moistureless terrain, they can actually be quite cold. This image shows snow on the Taklamakan Desert, in northern China, a relatively common occurrence in winter. Visible through the snow are the White Jade (Yurungkash) and Black Jade (Karakash) Rivers, which flow north from the Kunlun Mountains into the desert, later converging to form the Hotan River.

Tags: Black Jade River Hotan River Karakash Kunlun Mountains Snow Taklamakan Desert White Jade River Yurungkash | Comments |

October 22nd, 2011 Category: Deserts, Mountains, Rivers

China - October 18th, 2011

The Khotan River can be seen crossing the western half of the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. It is formed by the union of the White Jade (Yurungkash) and Black Jade (Karakash) Rivers, which flow north from the Kunlun Mountains into the Taklamakan Desert in the northern part of the country.

The two rivers unite towards the middle of the desert, some 145 kilometres (90 mi) north of the town of Khotan. The river then flows 290 kilometres (180 mi) northwards across the desert and empties itself into the Tarim River. Because the river is fed by melting snow from the mountains, it only carries water during the summer and is dry the rest of the year. The Khotan river bed provides the only transportation system across the Tarim Basin.

Tags: Black Jade River China Khotan River Kunlun Mountains Taklamakan Desert White Jade River Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region | Comments |

May 17th, 2010 Category: Rivers

China - April 28th, 2010

Here, the Khotan River can be seen flowing amongst the dunes of the Taklamakan Desert.  It is formed by the confluence of the White Jade (Yurungkash) and Black Jade (Karakash) Rivers, which unite towards the middle of the desert and the center of this ASAR image.

The confluence occurs some 145 kilometres (90 mi) north of the town of Khotan. The Khotan River (also referred to as the Hotan River or Ho-t’ien River) then flows 290 kilometres (180 mi) northwards across the desert and empties itself into the Tarim River.

Tags: ASAR Asia Black Jade River Ho-t'ien River Hotan River Karakash Khotan River Taklamakan Desert White Jade River Yurungkash | Comments |