Where is lop nur

Lop Nur people still love fishing," says Amudun. Locals say they are descendants of the people who once lived in Loulan, an ancient Silk Road civilization that was nurtured and nourished by the vast Lop Nur around the third century BC and mysteriously disappeared around the third century AD.

However, as the Tarim River, which supported the settlement, changed course, Loulan people had to abandon the area and move upstream due to a lack of water. Secluded in the vast sand, the Lop Nur people were not found by outsiders until the s. Seclusion between the dunes has preserved the most of Lop Nur people's traditional lifestyle, but as a road was built years ago to connect the village with the outside world, they soon began to embrace modern life.

Amudun has even bought a motorcycle and a cellphone, while his family has opened an eatery selling authentic Lop Nur-style grilled fish with Amudun's fresh catch. To make the dish, the fisherman threads the whole fish onto a skewer made of salt cedar branch, grills the fish by the fire, and seasons it with only salt to preserve the fresh, natural flavor. He has also developed a secret sauce for customers who prefer a stronger flavor.

Their business is getting better as more tourists become attracted by the area's improved environment. Xinjiang's tourism industry has boomed in recent years. In , the region registered more than million trips by domestic and international tourists collectively, a year-on-year growth of Amudun says he fishes not only to make money but also to promote the traditions of Lop Nur people.

But I have taught my son and my grandson fishing. Even though one day they will move out of the village, they must pass on this tradition," says the fisherman.

A dancer performs "cooking dance" during the traditional wedding ceremony of Lop Nur people, October 14, The bride and bridegroom sit on the ground together during the traditional wedding ceremony of Lop Nur people, October 14, A traditional wooden stand of Lop Nur people at the village, October 14, Handicrafts made out of populus euphratica trees by Lop Nur people, October 14, Yet for all it lacks in agricultural appeal, Lop Nur offers something valuable to farmers the world over: potash.

This potassium salt provides a major nutrient required for plant growth, making it a key ingredient in fertilizer. The discovery of potash at Lop Nur in the mids turned the area into a large-scale mining operation. The rectangular shapes in this image show the bright colors characteristic of solar evaporation ponds. Around the evaporation ponds are the earth tones typical of sandy desert. During the early and middle Pleistocene epoch, this area held a large brackish lake. Uplift of the northern part of the lake in the late Pleistocene created hollows that became receptacles for potash deposition.

The main potash deposits found at Lop Nur today are brine potash, and this site is the second-largest source of potash in China. Lop Nur slowly dried up in the Holocene. The area now receives average annual precipitation of just The study found, however, that this area has experienced seven major climate changes since the end of the Pleistocene, including climatic conditions far more favorable to farming and settlement than today.

Examination of plant and mollusk remains at the lake, as well as studies of sediments, indicate that the Lop Nur region experienced a severe drought about 3, years ago, followed by wetter conditions.