The White Jade River, also known by the native names Baiyu or Yurungkash, is a river in the southern Xinjiang region of China.
The head waters of the river rise in the Kunlun Mountains, in the Togatax area (35°36′N 81°24′E / 35.6°N 81.4°E / 35.6; 81.4). The river flows east for some 200 km and then north for another 200 km before passing Khotan (37°07′N 79°58′E / 37.11°N 79.97°E / 37.11; 79.97). North of Khotan, it eventually dries up in the Taklamakan desert, its seasonal bed joined by that of the Karakash River near Koxlax (some 200 km north of Khotan, 38°05′N 80°34′E / 38.08°N 80.56°E / 38.08; 80.56), from where it continues north as the Khotan River passing Piqanlik (40°03′N 80°53′E / 40.05°N 80.89°E / 40.05; 80.89), and seasonally crossing the desert, joining the Tarim River at 42°29′N 80°56′E / 42.483°N 80.933°E / 42.483; 80.933. The river drains an area of 14,575 km2 (5,627 sq mi) and has a discharge of 72.3 cubic metres per second (2,550 cu ft/s).
The river gets its name from the white jade that is often found in its alluvial deposits.
Famous quotes containing the words white, jade and/or river:
“That orbed maiden with white fire laden,
Whom mortals call the Moon,”
—Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822)
“Do not pray for gold and jade and precious things; pray that your children and grandchildren may all be good.”
—Chinese proverb.
“The first man to discover Chinook salmon in the Columbia, caught 264 in a day and carried them across the river by walking on the backs of other fish. His greatest feat, however, was learning the Chinook jargon in 15 minutes from listening to salmon talk.”
—State of Oregon, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)