The important agricultural areas in northwest China are: Hexi Corridor, Ningxia Plain, Hetao Plain, and oasis at the foot of high mountains in Xinjiang.

Main pastoral areas: grassland pastoral areas in Inner Mongolia, desert grassland pastoral areas in Xinjiang and mountainous pastoral areas.

Important agricultural areas in Qinghai-Tibet region of China: Huangshui River Basin and Yarlung Zangbo River Basin.

Main pastoral areas: alpine pastoral areas on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.