The Tarim River is China biggest inland river at 2179 kilometers long. It is converged from the Yerqiang, Hotan, and Aksu rivers. The Tarim river winds from west to east at the northern part of the Tarim Basin, and the regions at its upper reaches are undulating deserts which are washed by the snowmelt from the ice-covered mountains which carry the sand down stream, in addition to the riverbed seepage, resulting in frequent changes of the river course.

Because of its instability, it is known as an'unharnessed wild horse".

To reasonably develop and utilize the 200000 square kilometers of land in the Tarim River area so that it will be a blessing to mankind, has become an important project in the development of South Xinjiang.