Takla Makan Desert

Takla Makan Desert is called as the death sea which in other words, it is a place that you cannot come out again once you go into; it is located in the center of southern Xinjiang Tarim Basin with length of 1,000 kilometers from west to east and width is 400 Km from south to north, therefore, the total area of Takla Makan Desert is about 337,600 square meters, ranks first as the largest desert in China which is only behind the world first largest Sahara Desert; however, among the various deserts in the world, Takla Makan Desert is the most mysterious and charming one.



The desert center is the classical continental climate with strong wind and sand, frequently changes of temperature and less rainfall. For the frequently sand movement in this desert, the shapes of the sand dune are unique and changeable and reach 250 meters highest. With the lifting motion of the earth crust, the sedimentary rock of red sandstone and opal paste exposed on the earth thus shape into the scenery with distinct red and white colors. Along the river banks, there are splendid Euphrates Poplars forest and other trees, which are called as the Green Belts in the desert, birds and rabbits add a vivid image, it is even said that there are rich underground water, according to the investigations of explorers.



In the mass desert, many ancient heritage were founded, the Niya's Relics founded here was ever unearthed the pattern cotton cloth and embroidery in Eastern Han Dynasty.



The highest temperature in Takla Makan Desert reaches to 67.2℃, the range of temperature between day and night is up to 40℃, the average annual rainfall is less than 100mm, while the average evaporation capacity is 2500-3400mm, one third time in the desert was the period with strong wind and sand with speed of 300m/s. Over one thousand years, the desert has moved toward south about 100km, many ancient spots behind the desert such as Loulan has been covered by the drift sand.



From Autumn to next spring is the period with less sand storm in Takla Makan Desert, thus there are less mosquito and other insects, the dry riverbed becomes the driving avenue, from the end of Oct. To the middle of Nov. Is the best time to come across the desert, except for the previous advantages that i mentioned, the most important thing is that Euphrates Poplars leaves in Tarim Basin become a yellow belt, therefore, walking along the beautiful scenary and riverbed, you can gain a rich and unforgettable experience. But just keep one thing in mind, no matter how beautiful the scenery is, you need to get out of the desert on time before the sand storm arrives and find an accommodation in the hotels lived in the desert, or you will be caught in a great and serious trouble.