Yarkand River

Yarkand River

Guide The Yarkand River is located in the southeastern part of the Kashgar region. Its source is formed by the convergence of the Raskam and Aqtayga rivers at Heibalungke Pass on the Karakoram Mountains. With a total length of 996 kilometers, it flows from southwest to northeast and is the largest river in the Kashgar region. Introduction In the Uyghur language, "Yarkand" means "a place of vast land." Its water sources include: first, glacial meltwater from K2 (Qogir Peak); second, springs emerging from the rock formations on the western bank of the riverbed; and third, rainfall. The flood season is from May to September each year, while the dry season lasts from December to February of the following year.

The entire river features an upper course that winds and rushes through valleys, descending rapidly. The steep mountains along both banks of the Yarkand River are covered with tamarisk and weeds, suitable for grazing livestock but difficult for transportation. The lower course, starting from downstream of the Qun Mountain area, gradually becomes flatter. The Yarkand Riverbed here consists of rocks, gravel, and silt, and the surrounding areas connect with boundless plains, forming the main irrigation zone of the Yarkand River.

Kashgar, Xinjiang