Bayingolin Prefecture Overview
Full Name: Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
Chinese Name: 巴音郭楞蒙古族自治州 (bā yīn guō lèng méng gǔ zú zì zhì zhōu)
Ruoqiang County, Bayingolin Population: 1,189,400
Area: 482,700 square kilometers (186,372 square miles)
Nationalities: Uygur, Hui, Mongol, Han
Administrative Division: 7 counties: Bugur (Luntai), Lopnur (Yuli), Qarkilik (Ruoqiang), Qarqan (Qiemo), Hejing, Hoxud (Heshuo), Bagrax (Bohu); 1 autonomous county (Yanqi Hui Autonomous County); 1 city (Korla)
Seat of the Prefecture Government: Bayin Dong Lu, Korla City
Takla Makan Desert, Xinjiang Location: Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture is situated in the southeast of Xinjiang, with neighboring provinces Gansu and Qinghai to the east. It is separated from Tibet by the Kunlun Mountains in the south. Within the Xinjiang Bayingolin Prefecture, it is bordered by Hotan in the west, and is in neighborhood of Ili, Changji, Urumqi, Turpan and Kumul with the Tianshan Mountains in the north acting as the boundary between Bayingolin and these regions.
Physical Features: The whole prefecture fits into three morphologic regions: Tianshan Mountains, Tarim Basin and Kunlun-Arjin Mountains. Mountainous regions make up forty-nine percent of Bayingolin's territory. In addition, it has the Takla Makan Desert in the center and vast plains in the north.
Climate: The prefecture enjoys a temperate continental climate characterized by aridity, lack of rainfall, much evaporation and long daylight hours. In higher mountainous regions, there is no summer heat all the year round, while in the plain areas, the four seasons are distinct. September and October are the most ideal times to visit Bayingolin. The weather is moderate and there are fresh melons and other fruits in the market.
Local Highlights: Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture is the largest city-level administrative region possessing China's largest desert, longest inland river, largest inland freshwater lake, alpine grassland, diversified-leaf poplar protection zone, and the only forest park in a desert terrain and a swan nature reserve.
Special Local Products: Korla pear, fig, apocynum tea, grape, liquorice
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