Ruoqiang County
China's largest county by area, where the ancient cities of Loulan and Miran, Lop Nur and the Altun Mountains make for a mysterious, desolate wilderness journey.
Ruoqiang County belongs to Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang, on the southeastern edge of the Tarim Basin. It is China's largest county by area and sparsely populated. The county holds Silk Road sites such as the ancient cities of Loulan and Miran, the Lop Nur desert is full of mystery, and the Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve in the south is home to wildlife such as wild yaks and Tibetan antelopes. Ruoqiang red dates are fairly well known. Spring and autumn are better for travel; to go into the desert and the reserve, you need to obtain permits and prepare carefully for safety. Ruoqiang Loulan Airport serves the county, and railways connect it with Korla, Hotan and other places.