Located in the eastern part of Tarim Basin, Sinkiang-Uigur Autonomous Region, Lop Nor once in history was the second largest saltwater lake in China, occupying 20,000 square kilometers. Nowadays, 780 meters in altitude, the dry land of Lop Nor covers 450 square kilometers. Lop Nor received many rivers floating from Tarim Basin——Shule River in the east;Tarim River, Peacock River and Cherchen River in the west. It used to be a vigorous oasis.

Early in the 2nd century B.C, Lou-lan and Gushi people lived and thrived in Lop Nor. Since Han dynasty when Zhang Qian built a link between the Central Plains and the Western Region, Lop Nor had been serving as an important station on the Silk Road connecting Europe and Asia, as well as a junction for the exchange of eastern and western cultures. However, in the recent 1000 years, with natural and artificial influences, Lop Nor went dry. With the desert expanding, the oasis disappearing, and cities destroyed, people were obliged to move out of Lop Nor, and left an isolated desert behind them. "Many hungry ghosts are living here and hot winds are blowing here. People who are attacked by them are sure to die." "Sometimes Shrieking and crying can be heard. When you are listening, you will suddenly forget where you are. Because this is a dwelling for ghosts, many people lose their lives in Lop Nor." All these shocking historical records shroud Lop Nor with a mysterious and frightful veil.