Hotan, County-level city in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China
Hotan is a county-level city in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of northwest China, set within an oasis surrounded by the Taklamakan Desert. Several rivers flow through the area and supply fields and orchards that stretch along the watercourses.
From the first to the tenth century, the city served as the center of a Buddhist kingdom that drew traders and travelers on the Silk Road. Later, control shifted several times among regional powers until the area became part of the Chinese empire.
Locals work with jade extracted from the rivers of the region, shaping it into jewelry and decorative objects. Looms for silk carpets still stand in workshops where artisans tie patterns passed down through generations.
Flights reach the city from larger centers in the region, while overland roads connect it to neighboring settlements. Summer months can grow very hot, so visitors often prefer spring and autumn for sightseeing.
Archaeologists found mummified remains nearby that were preserved in dry desert sand over centuries. These finds show clothing and textiles that reflect techniques from distant regions.
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