Atlas
Tarim Basin
The Tarim Basin is a vast desert basin, arid at the surface yet rich in buried oil, gas, and Silk Road history.
Prefecture: Aksu Prefecture
Province: XinjiangA cracked dry channel winds among gnarled desert poplars and sparse shrubs, beneath golden dunes and hazy distant mountains.
Tower1
- Tarim Desert Highway Shelterbelt
Watered by drip irrigation, the Tarim Desert Highway Shelterbelt ranks among the longest green belts crossing shifting desert anywhere, an ecological feat against desertification.
Natural Wonder1
- Luntai Primeval Populus euphratica Forest
Luntai's primeval Populus euphratica forest is one of the largest and densest natural stands of desert poplar on Earth, legendary guardians said to endure a thousand years.
Archaeology1
- Lop Nur Yardang & Loulan Ruins
On the eastern edge of the Tarim Basin, wind-carved yardang landforms surround the ruins of Loulan, a celebrated oasis kingdom on the ancient Silk Road.
Han1
- Han Protectorate Established at Wulei60 BCE
In 60 BCE, Emperor Xuan of Han established the Western Regions Protectorate at Wulei to coordinate administration and defense in the Western Regions.