The Tarim River is the longest river in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, stretching approximately 2,000 kilometers. It flows through the Tarim Basin, which is surrounded by the Tianshan Mountains and the Taklamakan Desert. The river is crucial for irrigation and supports agriculture in an otherwise arid region. The river's source is in the Tianshan Mountains, where it collects water from melting snow and glaciers. It eventually empties into the Tarim Basin, where it does not reach the sea, creating a unique endorheic system. The river plays a vital role in the local ecosystem and economy.