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How do qanat tunnels bring water to farms in the Turfan and Hami depressions?

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Pagoda near Tian Lake — Xinjiang Pagoda close to Tian Lake, Ürümqi, Uyghur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, China.

In the Turfan and Hami depressions of Xinjiang, the water-supply system known as a qanat is essential for sustaining intensive agriculture in an arid environment.

These systems function by tapping into underground water sources, such as those trapped beneath the upper reaches of alluvial fans near mountain ranges. The qanat consists of a series of gently sloping tunnels that channel this groundwater downhill over several kilometers to the lower-lying areas where it is needed for irrigation and domestic use.12

By utilizing this Persian technique, inhabitants of the southern sections of the Turfan Depression are able to irrigate their land, supporting the production of crops such as grapes, Hami melons, cotton, and various grains. This method allows for reliable water access in a region characterized by extreme temperatures and very low annual precipitation.2