Chinese Taklimakan Shamo or T'a-k'o-la-ma-kan Sha-mo
Desert, forming the greater part of the Tarim River basin, west-central China.
One of the world's largest sandy wastes, it is about 600 mi (965 km) across, with an area of 105,000 sq mi (272,000 sq km). It is flanked by high mountain ranges, including the Kunlun Mountains , whose rivers penetrate the desert 60120 mi (100200 km) before drying up in its sands. Its wind-blown sand cover is as much as 1,000 ft (300 m) thick and has formed such features as pyramidal dunes that can reach heights of 1,000 ft (300 m).