When we mention the Hexi Corridor, many people's first impression may be that it is an arid land located in the northwest of our country. However, in this seemingly arid land, there is a hidden geographical wonder - "the sky is dry and the earth is not dry".
It is an indisputable fact that the "heavenly stems" of the Hexi Corridor are indisputable. It is located deep inland, far from the ocean, and the terrain makes it difficult for the water vapor of the ocean to reach. As a result, annual precipitation is generally below 200 mm, and in many places even lower. Such climatic conditions make the Hexi Corridor a typical temperate continental climate zone, and drought and lack of rainfall are its most significant climatic characteristics.
However, in this arid land, there is a phenomenon of "the land is not dry". This is due to the unique geographical location and topographical conditions of the Hexi Corridor. On the south side of the Hexi Corridor is the majestic Qilian Mountains, which not only block the warm and humid air currents from the south, but also nurture numerous glaciers on its towering peaks. These glaciers act as "solid reservoirs" that melt as temperatures rise during the hot summer months, creating a steady stream of glacial meltwater.
This glacial meltwater flows down the northern slopes of the Qilian Mountains and converges into rivers that nourish the oases of the Hexi Corridor. It is these glacial meltwater that allow the Hexi Corridor to maintain the phenomenon of "not drying up" in an arid climate.
In addition to glacial meltwater, groundwater in the Hexi Corridor is also an important reason for its "lack of dryness". In arid climates, surface water is difficult to conserve, but groundwater is relatively stable. The groundwater in the Hexi Corridor is mainly due to the melting of ice and snow in the Qilian Mountains and the infiltration of rivers along the way. This groundwater forms abundant water resources in the underground of the Hexi Corridor, providing strong support for local agricultural production and ecological environment.
Of course, we cannot ignore the important position of the Hexi Corridor in history. As a necessary place on the ancient Silk Road, the Hexi Corridor has always been an important passage connecting the Central Plains and the Western Regions. Even today, it is still an important part of the modern Silk Road, the "second land bridge between Asia and Europe". Such a geographical location makes the Hexi Corridor play a pivotal role in economic development and cultural exchanges.
The latest data shows that the area of oases in the Hexi Corridor is expanding, thanks to the rational use and protection of water resources in the region. Through the construction of water-saving irrigation systems and the promotion of water-saving agricultural technologies, the Hexi Corridor has achieved continuous improvement of the ecological environment while maintaining rapid economic development.