Hotan

China

Saturday, August 30, 2025

Sunrise

6:07 AM

Sunset

7:15 PM

About

Hotan, known as Hetian in Mandarin, is a quaint oasis located in the southern rim of the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang, China. The city is home to a rich cultural history and is famed for its unique handmade carpets, jade, and traditional Uyghur musical performances. The picturesque landscape boasts mountain ranges, rolling hills, and streams, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and travelers seeking an authentic cultural experience.

30 Best Places to Visit

1. Hotan City Museum

This museum houses precious artifacts from the Silk Road era and depicts the rich history and culture of the Hotan people.
2. Hetian Jade Market

The largest and most famous jade market in China, where visitors can buy or learn about the exquisite Hetian jade.
3. Hotan Royal Palace Ruins

These ruins were once majestic palaces of the ancient Kingdom of Khotan and showcase the architectural beauty of the Hotan civilization.
4. Karakoram Highway

A scenic mountain road that leads to Pakistan, it is one of the world's highest paved roads and offers breathtaking views.
5. Ancient Karez System

An ingenious water management system that dates back more than 2,000 years, which is still in use today in Hotan and its surrounding areas.
6. Hotan Bazaar

A bustling market filled with vendors selling everything from local crafts to exotic spices, it is a perfect spot to immerse oneself in the local culture.
7. Taklamakan Desert

One of the world's largest and most arid deserts, it offers exceptional landscapes, camels, and traditional Uighur traditions.
8. Jiaohe Ruins

An ancient city established over 2,000 years ago and a perfect location to witness the history and culture of the ancient Khotan kingdom.
9. Hotan City Mosque

A religious center for Muslims, the mosque is a magnificent example of Islamic architecture and one of the city's cultural gems.
10. Ngari Dawazha Mosque

The largest mosque in Hotan with the most significant prayer hall in the region.
11. Hotan Crafts Factory

A renowned workshop that produces beautiful and intricate silk carpets, fabrics, traditional clothes, and jade jewelry.
12. Qira County Grand Bazaar

A lively marketplace that buzzes with Uighur traders, offering traditional foods and elaborate jewelry.
13. Lalati Ancient City

A blend of rich cultures and empires, the city is an archeological destination that unravels the history and culture of the region.
14. Hetian Jiaohe Airport

The airport serves Hotan and surrounding regions, and visitors can witness the panoramic views of the Kunlun Mountains during their arrival and departure.
15. Hetian Crouching Dragon Handicraft Cooperative

A trading company that features wool and silk weaving, traditional woodwork, and other folk art.
16. Yarkhoto Ruins

A historic city in Hotan that was once a bustling hub of trade among various civilizations.
17. Hotan Wetland Park

A nature reserve featuring a wetland ecosystem filled with unique flora and fauna.
18. Hotan Agriculture Exhibition Hall

A museum of farming tools, harvesting techniques, and crop irrigation.
19. Dasht River

A scenic river that flows through Hotan and interconnected to the Kashi River and the upper reaches of the Ruoshui River.
20. Hetian Museum of National Culture

A museum featuring cultural artifacts, including crafts, traditional clothing, sculptures, jade carvings, and calligraphy.
21. Muztagh Ata Mountain

A beautiful peak situated near Hotan, known for its panoramic views, hiking trails, and skiing opportunities.
22. Hotan Riverside Scenic Area

A scenic area with natural landscapes, including shallow beaches with crystal-clear water, grasslands, and forested areas.
23. Yarkhoto Old Town

An ancient town with over a thousand years of cultural history, featuring distinctive architecture, narrow alleys, and hidden squares.
24. The Ancient City of Niya

A city that prospered during the Han Dynasty and later abandoned in the 5th century, featuring impressive ruins of the city wall and well-preserved tombs.
25. Hotan Helisai Shopping Plaza

A modern shopping mall that offers an extensive selection of goods, including local products, clothes, jewelry, and electronics.
26. Mount K2

The world's second-highest mountain peak just beyond the border with Pakistan but visible on clear days.
27. The Museum of Xinjiang Hetian Jade Culture

Showcases the most beautiful Hetian stone, with specimens ranging from 6,000 years BC to the present era.
28. The Hotan Cultural Center

A performing arts space which celebrates the local culture with presentations of music, dance, and theater performances.
29. Altun Tagh Park

A national park situated in the hinterlands of Hotan, featuring an adventurous playground of towering mountains, diverse wildlife, and geological wonders.
30. The Naqsha-E-Jahan Mosque

A mosque built by the Tajik immigrants in the early 19th century, featuring spectacular timber structure with intricate Islamic patterns.