Kumtag

The Kumtag Desert spreads southeast of Lop Nur, between the lake basin and the Altun Mountains. Strong winds shape its sands into long ridges and distinctive feather-like dunes. Gravel plains and eroded ground interrupt the dunes, but water and vegetation are scarce throughout this exceptionally dry country. To the east the desert approaches the old routes between Dunhuang and the oases of the Tarim Basin.