Hotan River

　　    The scenic section of the Hotan River is situated in the Taklamakan Desert, stretching approximately 400 meters in length. The region is arid, with scarce rainfall and significant temperature fluctuations. The average annual precipitation is only 26 mm, while evaporation reaches 2,545.5 mm. July sees the highest temperatures, up to 43.7°C, and January the lowest, down to -28.9°C. The river meanders through sand dunes with an average gradient of 0.06‰. River discharge is concentrated during the flood season, when peak flows are both high in volume and intensity, resulting in a high sediment load that frequently shifts the river channel. The average annual flow rate of the Hotan River is 11.2

　　    cubic meters. Due to the extremely high evaporation rate compared to rainfall in the desert, the mineral content of the downstream water is twice that of the river’s source, with a total hardness of 13.8.

　　    The Hotan River is the only river that traverses the heart of the Taklamakan Desert. It stretches 1,127 km in total. Its upper reaches are formed by two tributaries originating from the Kunlun Mountains: the Yurungkash River and the Karakash River. These two rivers converge at Qushilash and are thereafter collectively known as the Hotan River. The lower reaches of the Hotan River form a typical alluvial plain braided stream, characterized by a wide and shallow riverbed—reaching up to 5 km in width and as narrow as 1.5 km. The river winds considerably and carries a relatively high sediment load, with an average annual sediment concentration of 9.85 kg per cubic meter. As sediments accumulate in the riverbed, the downstream channel often shifts, forming numerous mid-channel bars, point bars, and meandering loops. Natural forests, predominantly consisting of grey poplar and desert poplar, form ribbon-like belts along both banks of the river. Each year after the flood season, the wide riverbed becomes a sandy expanse. Wind-blown sand forms undulating wave-like patterns, and under the blazing sun, the scene resembles gently rippling water.