The Karakash or Black Jade River, also spelled Karakax (Chinese: 黑玉河; pinyin: Hēiyù hé), is a river in the Xinjiang autonomous region of the People's Republic of China that originates in the disputed Aksai Chin region. The river begins above 19,000 feet (5,800 m) about 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Galwan Kangri peak in the Aksai Chin region of the historical Jammu and Kashmir region. It flows north to Sumnal (15,540 ft), then turns sharply eastwards (skirting just north of the Soda Plains of Aksai Chin) until just beyond Palong Karpo, when it turns sharply northwestwards, and crosses into Xinjiang proper.