White Jade River

The White Jade River, also known by the native names Baiyu or Yurungkash, is a river in the southern Xinjiang region of China.

The head waters of the river rise in the Kunlun Mountains, in the Togatax area (35°36′N 81°24′E / 35.6°N 81.4°E / 35.6; 81.4). The river flows east for some 200 km and then north for another 200 km before passing Khotan (37°07′N 79°58′E / 37.11°N 79.97°E / 37.11; 79.97). North of Khotan, it eventually dries up in the Taklamakan desert, its seasonal bed joined by that of the Karakash River near Koxlax (some 200 km north of Khotan, 38°05′N 80°34′E / 38.08°N 80.56°E / 38.08; 80.56), from where it continues north as the Khotan River passing Piqanlik (40°03′N 80°53′E / 40.05°N 80.89°E / 40.05; 80.89), and seasonally crossing the desert, joining the Tarim River at 42°29′N 80°56′E / 42.483°N 80.933°E / 42.483; 80.933. The river drains an area of 14,575 km² (5,627 sq mi) and has a discharge of 72.3 cubic metres per second (2,550 cu ft/s).

The river gets its name from the white jade that is often found in its alluvial deposits.

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