Which desert in western China is known for the shifting sands of the Tarim Basin?

The Taklamakan Desert is the vast sandy desert occupying much of China’s Tarim Basin.

It lies in Xinjiang, between the Tian Shan, Kunlun, and Pamir mountain systems. The surrounding mountains isolate the basin from moist air, while rivers flowing from snowmelt create oases around its margins. Most of the interior is extremely dry and covered by mobile sand dunes, making historic crossings dangerous.

The desert’s name has several proposed explanations, and its exact etymology remains debated. Ancient caravan routes traveled along the oasis edges as part of the wider Silk Road rather than cutting directly through the shifting interior. Archaeological sites in the region have yielded remarkably preserved mummies because of the dry climate.

The Taklamakan is distinct from the Gobi, which lies farther northeast. The Gobi is generally colder and includes broad rocky and gravelly surfaces, whereas the Taklamakan is especially noted for its enormous dune seas.