Gobi offers fine climate for wineries in Xinjiang

Wineries in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region are helping to bring agriculture to the Gobi Desert and boost the local economy.

Yanqi Hui autonomous county, a major wine-producing area, sits on the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains. The mountains interrupt the eastward flow of humid air that originates as far away as the Atlantic Ocean. By the time it reaches Xinjiang the moisture is reduced considerably, and the mountains' northern slope blocks most of the final remnants, leaving the southern side arid. This creates a friendly environment for grapes.

Despite getting more than 3,600 hours of daylight a year, the dry weather and raging sandstorms have hampered the county's farming industry.