Get to know Karez’s agricultural heritage in the form of water sources in Xinjiang China

Get to know Karez's agricultural heritage in the form of water sources in Xinjiang China

Urumqi (Reportase One) – Located at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, Turpan in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region is one of the driest and hottest places in China, with an average annual rainfall of just 16mm and evaporation of up to 3,000mm.

In order to make the vast Gobi desert into a comfortable and livable oasis, the locals found a new way to get water reserves through the Karez Well, a discovery that has provided a source of water for generations.

The Karez well consists of several vertical shafts and underground canals that surface in the form of ditches and small ponds. The Karez irrigation system, which consists of several vertical shafts, earthen and underground canals, and small reservoirs, was built 2,000 years ago and is considered one of the largest extant ancient man-made structures in China, along with the Great Wall of China and the Great Canal of China. .

Over the years, the local government there mobilized and organized large numbers of farmers to protect the Karez Well. In addition, a joint force was formed to protect and better utilize the Karez Well.

As an important agricultural heritage, the Karez Well still plays an important role in local agricultural irrigation and even social life.

Photo taken on March 7, 2023 shows a scene in Turpan, northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. Get to know Karez's agricultural heritage in the form of water sources in Xinjiang China
This documentary photo taken on May 9, 1963 shows local farmers inspecting the condition of a watercourse along an underground channel in Turpan, northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.
Get to know Karez's agricultural heritage in the form of water sources in Xinjiang China
This documentary photo taken on May 9, 1963 shows local farmers inspecting the condition of a watercourse along an underground channel in Turpan, northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.
Get to know Karez's agricultural heritage in the form of water sources in Xinjiang China
Photo taken on March 7, 2023 shows a view of Aydingkol Lake in Turpan, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.
Get to know Karez's agricultural heritage in the form of water sources in Xinjiang China
Tourists view a replica of a karez well at a karez well tourist spot in Turpan, northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, March 11, 2023.
Get to know Karez's agricultural heritage in the form of water sources in Xinjiang China
Dredging workers dump silt from a karez well in Turpan, northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, March 9, 2023.

Messenger: Xinhua
Editor: Hanni Sofia
COPYRIGHT © BETWEEN 2023

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