Mazar Tagh

The Mazar Tagh fort stands on a hill in the Taklamakan Desert, featuring five rooms and a watchtower north of modern Hotan city.

The fort served as a military outpost during the Tibetan Empire in the 8th and 9th centuries, housing soldiers, officials, and merchants in the Khotan region.

Hundreds of early Tibetan military manuscripts discovered at Mazar Tagh provide insights into administrative and social structures of ancient Central Asia.

The British Library maintains a collection of wooden and paper documents from Mazar Tagh, while the British Museum displays artifacts including arrows and dice.

The mountain displays distinct red and white colorations on different sides, with a cave containing ancient Buddhist monks' writings carved into its walls.

GPS coordinates: 38.45076,80.86255

Latest update: March 8, 2025 23:47