What landforms are found in the Hexi Corridor of Gansu?

The Hexi Corridor, also known as the Gansu Corridor, is a long, narrow stretch of land in northwestern China characterized by specific topographical features:

• Flat Terrain: The floor of the corridor is described as monotonously flat and consists of barren yellow earth.1
• Interior Drainage: The area features a stretch of interior drainage where glacier-fed streams, such as the Hei River, flow into the region and disappear into the desert.1
• Surrounding Barriers: The corridor is bounded to the south by the rugged Qilian Mountains, which provide essential water from melting snow and ice for oasis farming. To the north, the corridor is bordered by the Gobi Desert, which acts as a natural barrier.23

While the corridor itself is largely flat, the surrounding landscape includes the high-elevation mountain ranges that define its southern edge. Vegetation in the corridor is limited, though willows and poplars are found along roads and ditches.214