Things to do in Hotan City

[Scenery] Very nice and beautiful [Fun] Very good [Value for money] Very good

This is a must-see in Hotan. it seems not many people know about it, it is quite a new museum. But the exhibits are superb, there are many beautiful jade objects. It is also educational, showing how the stone is crafted into such beautiful works of art. The museum is actually on the third floor of the building - when you come back down you have to pass through a number of shops selling various jade products. Take time to go around the back of the building where there is a vast square with a market of hundreds of stalls with people selling natural jade stones of all types, colours and sizes (I went midweek around lunchtime).

The children had a great time

I've always longed to see the green-gold sarcophagi in the Aletun Mazar Open-Air Cemetery in Shache. Finally…🛑 Here lies the authentic double sarcophagi of Rashid Khan and Amanisha Khan of the Yarkand Khanate, dating back to the mid-16th century, a Ming Dynasty relic, over 400 years ago. The long, rectangular sarcophagi are adorned with arched gates at both ends, painted in gold on a green background. Green symbolizes the oasis and paradise, while gold represents sanctity. The outer walls feature abstract scrolls and geometric patterns, and the arches are inscribed with Quranic prayers, without any biographical details. The Yarkand Khanate was a regional regime in southern Xinjiang with Shache as its capital from the 15th to the 17th centuries, reaching its cultural peak in the 16th century, where the Twelve Muqam were established. It was later destroyed by the Dzungars. I gazed silently at the two green-gold sarcophagi, over 400 years old. According to old burial customs, the remains are buried deep in the soil below, not inside the stone coffin; it is merely a marker above the tomb. Carefully studying the patterns and inscriptions on it, one can imagine the dedication Amanisha Khan poured into the Twelve Muqam.

Five stars for this unique waterside poplar forest in southern Xinjiang! Compared to the poplars in the vast Gobi Desert, the Zepu Golden Poplars possess a completely different kind of gentleness. The Yarkand River transforms the entire forest into a flowing oil painting, making it well worth the special detour. The scenic area is vast, and you must buy a shuttle bus ticket upon entry. There are five stops in total, allowing you to hop on and off at will; you simply cannot explore it all on foot. The first stop, the Water Poplars, is the highlight. Clumps of golden poplars stand amidst the clear water, sunlight filtering through the branches and leaves, reflecting the golden hues of the trees on the lake's surface—everywhere you look, you can take a wallpaper-worthy photo. Further on is the Millennium Poplar King, its trunk thick and vigorous, adorned with red ribbons for blessings. Standing beneath it, you can truly feel the weight and significance of this ancient tree. The Longevity Folk Culture Village has a lively atmosphere; you can sample local cuisine and occasionally witness ethnic song and dance performances, blending natural scenery with the culture of southern Xinjiang. The Educated Youth Memory Park is perfect for leisurely strolls, offering an extra layer of historical depth. The only downside is that the shuttle bus queues can be long during peak season, and if you arrive before the peak viewing period, the leaves won't be fully yellow, significantly diminishing the scenery. The best time to visit is roughly from mid-October to early November, so be sure to time your visit carefully. The boardwalk is gently sloping, suitable for the elderly and children, without requiring strenuous hiking. It's about a two- to three-hour drive from Kashgar, a long journey, but seeing the lake full of golden poplars along the way makes all the travel fatigue worthwhile. If you're looking for a relaxing and photogenic poplar paradise in southern Xinjiang, this is the place to go.

It's free, but a bit far from the city center. Driving is ideal; avoid the midday sun when it's directly in the sun and there's nowhere to escape. Wearing a mask is highly recommended, as there can be sandstorms when it's windy. The oasis in the desert is quite large; we only saw a small part of the scenic area, but we also saw desert lakes along the way.