24-Jul-2026 -- We reached the confluence point at 1:00 p.m. on July 24, 2026.

This confluence point is located on a gravel Gobi Desert, approximately 3 km from the Jinhuyang Nature Park.

The natural vegetation consists mainly of low shrubs that are sparsely distributed, with less than 2% ground cover. A number of dead shrubs can also be found scattered throughout the area.

When we arrived, the temperature was about 21°C, comfortable for wearing a T-shirt. The sky was mostly cloudy, with a moderate northerly breeze (around Beaufort Force 3).

About 500 m north of the point is a plantation of young trees. The terrain is generally flat to the east and west, while low hills rise to the south.

The ground is dry and yellowish in color, covered with embedded gravel. Most stones are black and approximately 3–7 cm in diameter. The surface is firm but somewhat brittle, making walking relatively easy.

Numerous vehicle tracks cross the area, indicating frequent access. According to local people, many visitors come here to search for jade. The extremely dry ground produces large clouds of dust whenever vehicles drive across the Gobi.

My father works nearby, so I took the opportunity to visit this confluence point while traveling in the area. There were four of us in total: my parents, one of my father's colleagues, and myself. We departed from Kashgar County and drove for about one and a half hours. Along the way we passed Jinhuyang Nature Park. During summer the poplar trees are green, although we were told that the scenery is much more impressive in autumn when the leaves turn golden. The park itself appeared somewhat neglected, and the parking management system was not operating during our visit.

To reach the confluence point, it is necessary to leave the main road and drive across the Gobi Desert. After leaving the highway, we first passed through a plantation of young trees before entering the open gravel plain. There are no formal roads in this section, so we followed existing vehicle tracks. A few workers were present in the plantation when we arrived, but they had already left by the time we departed. Because the desert surface is covered with sharp gravel, off-road tires are strongly recommended.

Our first attempt was to approach from the western side of the Gobi, but we encountered a green fence approximately 2 m high and had to turn back. The area is undergoing ecological restoration, and fenced sections are used to protect newly planted trees from grazing wildlife.

Apart from the sound of the wind, the area was almost completely silent, with very little sign of human activity.

We chose this confluence point because it was the closest one to my father's workplace and one of the most accessible in the area. We located it successfully on our first attempt.

We took photographs of the confluence point itself as well as views facing north, south, east, and west, and recorded the GPS coordinates.

Future visitors are advised to use an SUV or another high-clearance vehicle equipped with off-road tires. The area is extremely dry, dusty, and exposed to strong ultraviolet radiation, so carrying plenty of drinking water, wearing sunglasses, and using adequate sun protection are highly recommended.