Karez System
Xinjiang Uygur · China
Later, before you head back to Urumqi, you will learn why Turpan could sustain itself in long history by visiting the Karez Irrigation System. After the irrigation system visit, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Urumqi where this wonderful day trip concludes.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Karez System
Welcome to the Karez System, a phenomenal masterpiece of human ingenuity and tenacity that has sustained life in the Turpan Basin for over 2,000 years. While the Great Wall and the Grand Canal are famous above ground, the Karez…
Listen in the app2The Vertical Wells — Ant Holes of the Desert
As you stand near the entrance, look at the model of the vertical wells. From the surface of the desert, these look like a series of ant holes stretching across the landscape. …
Listen in the app3The Underground Channel — Engineering Without Technology
We now descend into the real heart of the Karez: the underground channel. As you step down, notice the immediate drop in temperature. …
Listen in the app4Lin Zexu Memorial — The Hero of Irrigation
Within the museum complex, you will find an area dedicated to Lin Zexu, a famous figure in Chinese history. While he is most well-known for his role in the Opium Wars—burning opium in Humen—his legacy in Xinjiang is just as…
Listen in the app5Tools of the Trade — Manual Ingenuity
In this section of the museum, we see the simple tools that built this 5,000-kilometer marvel. There are no heavy machines or laser levels here. …
Listen in the app6The Above-Ground Channels and Reservoirs
As the water reaches the village, it emerges from the underground tunnels into above-ground channels. These channels distribute the water to individual gardens and fields. …
Listen in the app7The Future of the 'Mother River'
Our final stop focuses on the preservation and current status of the Karez. While some Karez have dried up due to the lowering of the water table from modern electric pumps and industrial needs, many are still functioning…
Listen in the app8Closing
As you step back out into the bright Turpan sun, the memory of the cool, flowing water underground will likely stay with you. The Karez System is one of those 'whale moments' of travel—a realization of the incredible depth of…
Listen in the app
What is Karez System?
Karez System is a place in Xinjiang Uygur · China with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Xinjiang Uygur · China |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 42.9814, 89.1303 |
| Last updated |