Yarkand River

　　  Guide         The Yarkand River is located in the southeastern part of the Kashgar region. Its source is formed by the confluence of the Raskam and Aketagai rivers at Heibalongke Pass in the Karakoram Mountains. Stretching 996 kilometers in length, it flows from southwest to northeast and is the largest river in the Kashgar region.   Introduction         “Yarkand” in Uyghur means “a place of vast land.” The river’s water sources include: meltwater from the Qogir Peak glaciers; springs emerging from the western riverbed rock layers; and rainfall. The flood season lasts from May to September each year, while the dry season occurs from December to February of the following year.

　　      The upper reaches of the river wind and rush through mountain valleys, descending swiftly. The steep mountainsides along the Yarkand River are covered with tamarisk shrubs and weeds, suitable for grazing livestock but with difficult transportation conditions. Downstream from the Kaqu Mountains, the terrain gradually flattens. The Yarkand Riverbed is composed of rocks, gravel, and silt, and the surrounding areas connect with boundless plains, forming the main irrigation zone of the Yarkand River.   

　　   Kashgar, Xinjiang