This is a method for transporting groundwater in arid areas. Karez irrigation includes vertical wells, underground canals, surface canals and sand banks. The spacing between the vertical wells is 25–30 m, and the deepest can reach a depth of 70 m. The underground canals are 1.5–2.0 m high, 0.6–0.7 m wide and generally 2–3 km long, though the longest can be 10 km or longer. The system facilitates the collection of groundwater and prevents its evaporation. Karez wells are a brilliant invention of the Xinjiang people in China for the utilisation of groundwater in arid regions. Every year, these wells attract many tourists for studying and sight-seeing purposes.
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(2020). Karez and Kanat Tourism Landscape. In: Chen, A., Ng, Y., Zhang, E., Tian, M. (eds) Dictionary of Geotourism. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_1251
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_1251
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