Zhusandala Plain

The plain is elongated, extending from ESE to WNW between the northeastern slopes of the Chu-Ili Range and the southern edge of the Taukum desert. The average annual rainfall is . The terrain is dissected by dry river beds. It consists of mostly steppe in the sloping upper elevations near the hills, giving way to semi-desert in zones near the Taukum. ==Flora and fauna==

The soil of the plain is gray and crumbly owing to high salinity. There are a few sand dune stretches at the edge of the Taukum. Arid grassland species dominate the vegetation, such as wormwood, feather grass, saltwort, speargrass, Calligonum, Scirpus, sedges, as well as Bromus, including scattered Bromus inermis clumps. Patches of Saxaul, Atraphaxis and tamarisk may grow in the floodplains of the rivers. ==See also==