Karez Irrigation System

Turpan Karez Water Museum, Xinjiang

Ever since Han times, water has been brought into Xingjian by the ingenious "Karez" irrigation system. Beginning in the Flaming Mountains (Houyan Shan), underground water channels were cut in a gentle slope to bring meltwater down to the region. Seen here is a Qing-dynasty example tunnel, that is displayed in a museum near Jiaohe.