[Objective] The grain-size characteristics of suspended load sediments of the Xiangshui River situated in the western Korqin sandy land were investigated in order to better understand the characteristics of sediments in desert river and erosion sediment regularities

and to provide basic information and examples for the study of the interaction between rivers and sand dunes in the desert area.[Methods] Through field investigation

the suspended water samples of three typical sections in the Xiangshui River situated in the western Korqin sandy land were collected

and then the grain-size characteristics of sediments were studied in laboratory.[Results] (1) At the river section I and section Ⅲ

as laterally the mobile dunes on the concave bank of the curved river channel are eroded

the grain size of the sediments becomes thin

and sorting tends to be poorer. (2) At the section Ⅱ

as laterally the Q3 fluvio-lacustrine strata of the steep slope is eroded

the effect of bend circulation scouring the concave bank is obvious and the silt grain size becomes coarser and sorting. (3) From the upper reaches to the lower reaches of the river

the grain size of silts in the river is significantly coarser

and the sorting becomes better.[Conclusion] The sources of the river derive mainly from the springs of the southern rocky denuded mountains and hills

and the lateral seepages of mobile dunes and Q3 sandy fluvio-lacustrine strata along the river valley. With the whole drainage area increases

flow velocity and flow flux are continuously augmenting and rive erosion and sand carrying capacity are enhancing due to the increasing number of mobile dunes along the stream. The sediments of the upper and lower reaches of the river coming from the base of the sand dunes are eroded by the water and the sediments of the middle reaches of the river derived from the Q3 fluvio-lacustrine strata in the collapse of the concave bank.