Hotan County, Administrative county in Hotan Prefecture, China
Hotan County is an administrative division in southwestern Xinjiang located between the Taklamakan Desert and the Kunlun Mountains. The county encompasses multiple townships and villages clustered around oases, with terrain ranging from flat desert plains to mountainous areas.
The region was historically known by the Sanskrit name Godana and underwent significant cultural shifts over centuries. It became an official administrative county in 1913 and served as a crossroads along ancient trade routes through Central Asia.
The local people are predominantly Uyghur and live around desert oases and mountain valleys, maintaining their way of life across scattered settlements. Visitors moving through the region notice how communities gather near water sources where farming and herding remain central to daily routines.
Two major national highways connect the county's scattered settlements: Highway 315 and Highway 219 link communities across the territory. Visitors should prepare for long distances between populated areas and expect varied weather conditions in both desert and mountain zones.
The county administers portions of Aksai Chin, a high plateau with disputed territorial status that contains several lakes including Aksai Chin Lake and Surigh Yilganing Kol. This area remains geographically isolated and ecologically extreme, making exploration a complex undertaking.
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