Turpan karez system, Ancient water system in Turpan, China
The Turpan karez system is an underground water network in Xinjiang made up of vertical wells and horizontal tunnels. The channels connect the wells and carry water from mountain slopes down to the farming fields on the plains.
The system began more than 2000 years ago as a response to the dry conditions and was expanded over the centuries. At its peak, it included around 1700 working channels that made survival in the region possible.
The system shows how people adapted to the dry climate by building underground channels to move water across the land. This solution shaped farming practices and daily life in the region for centuries.
Keep in mind that most channels lie underground and are not directly accessible to visitors. Some locations offer viewpoints or short tunnels to explore, which should be considered when planning your visit.
Water flows through gravity alone with no pumps or mechanical help, which was a remarkable engineering achievement for its time. This simple physical principle made it possible to move water across long distances without needing extra energy.
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