The Taklamakan Desert, covering some 330,000 square kilometers, is the second largest shifting sand desert in the world. As a "cemetery of civilizations." in the early years of the 20th century, the Tauamakan attracted explorers from all around the world and treasures excavated here and in the Tarim Basin are in the museum collections of more than ten countries.

It is the world's largest underground treasury of cultural relics. The desert destroyed many towns and villages, swallowing lives, legends and details, but left ruins, remote echoes, fragmentary memories and unlimited imaginings. Loulan, Niya, Xiaohe, Milan and Dandanwulike?­these famous ancient cities recorded the prosperity of the Silk Road; after years, they are still like sparks in the wilderness which can light up flames in people?ˉs minds. The winged angel mural, the brocade beating the words "five planets appearing in the east bode well for me Middle Kingdom," the Roman pillar, the Indian Buddha statue. the mummified "Loulan Beauty"?­all these excavated discoveries show that this was the only place on earth where the four great ancient civilizations mixed together.

More information: http://www.orientaldiscovery.com/2006/9-20/200692018613.html