Tazhong Satellite Map, Tarim Highway, Taklamakan Desert, Cherchen / Qiemo County, Xinjiang, China
Satellite map of Tazhong, in the middle of the Taklamakan Desert: ta 塔 is short for Taklamakan and zhong 中 means middle. Tazhong is the name of the vast oil field here as well as the tiny rough-and-ready mining village that supports the oil field and travelers. Coordinates: 38°59'36"N 83°37'48"E. From Tazhong, go 230 km south to Niya / Minfeng, and add another 294 km west to Hotan. From Tazhong, go 350 km north to Bugur / Luntai, and add another 172 km west to Korla. From Tazhong, go 118 km southeast to Cherchen / Qiemo, and add another 351 east to Charklik / Ruoqiang. There are some very basic hostels in Tazhong, or you can spend the night, as many tourists prefer, in the sands of the desert. Basic eateries and bars. The only gasoline for hundreds of kilometers.