Karakax

Karakax lies in the oasis country west of Khotan, beside the river whose name means Black Jade. The river descends from the Kunlun Mountains and carries meltwater towards the Tarim Basin, supporting cultivated land along the desert margin. Together with the White Jade River to the east, it helped make Khotan one of the great oases of the southern Silk Road. Jade found in the river gravels was prized far beyond the region.