Hotan City
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10 Days in Southern Xinjiang
“Southern Xinjiang, half mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, half everyday life.”
Kashgar South Xinjiang Essence Pure Play 9-Day Loop Tour
“【Introduction】: The beautiful Xinjiang is definitely worth exploring, especially South Xinjiang, which not only has unique scenery but also deserts, gobi, lakes, plateaus, snow mountains, ancient architecture, and more, all worth exploring and traveling in South Xinjiang: 🛬【Itinerary】: Day 1: Cozy Home - Kashgar Day 2: Kashgar - Shache Palace - Shache Old Town - Hotan Night Market - Hotan Day 3: Hotan - Desert Highway - 359th Brigade Memorial Hall - Aral Day 4: Aral - Tarim Poplar Forest - Tarim River - Luntai Ancient City - Luntai Day 5: Luntai - Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon - Wensu Grand Canyon - Aksu Day 6: Aksu - Bachu Red Sea - Century-old Tea - Kashgar Old Town - Kashgar Day 7: Kashgar - Kashgar City Opening Ceremony - Baisha Lake - Tahaman Wetland - Jincao Beach Stone City - Taxkorgan Day 8: Taxkorgan - Panlong Ancient Road - Pamir’s Eye - Bandier Blue Lake - Karakul Lake - Kashgar Day 9: Kashgar - Cozy Home ⛺【Must-Visit Attractions】: Kashgar Old Town A 2,100-year-old ancient city in the Western Regions, with maze-like streets full of exotic charm.”
3-11 Month Southern Xinjiang In-Depth 9-Day Tour Starting and Ending in Kashgar
“【Introduction】 Highlight 1【Three Sacred Plateau Lakes】Karakul Lake / Baisha Lake / Bandier Blue Lake Highlight 2【Road Trip】Panlong Ancient Road / China-Pakistan Friendship Highway / Wakhan Corridor / Tree Hole Road Highlight 3【Love of Two Rivers】Gaizi River / Tashkurgan River Highlight 4【Devil’s Eye】Muji Volcano Highlight 5【Cloud Gate】Hongqilafu Border Gate 🛬【Itinerary】: D1: Warm Home - Kashgar D2: Kashgar - Process Border Pass - Drive past Oytak Red Mountain Valley - 【Baisha Lake】(South and North Banks) - Distant view of the Kunlun Three Heroes - 【Muji Volcano】 - Distant view of Eighteen Arhats Peak - 【Tahaman Wetland】 D3: Taxkorgan - 【Hongqilafu Border Gate】 - 【Panlong Ancient Road】 - 【Bandier Blue Lake】 【Wakhan Corridor】 - Taxkorgan D4: Taxkorgan - Tajik Family Visit - Tree Hole Road - 【Muztag Glacier Park】 - 【Karakul Lake】 - Kashgar D5: Kashgar - Shache - Check in at Tuan City - Hotan Night Market D6: Hotan 【Jade Lake】 - Desert Highway (Crossing the Taklamakan Desert) - Aral D7: Aral - 【Wensu Grand Canyon】 - Aksu D8: Aksu - Kashgar Old City - Kashgar D9: Kashgar - Transfer to Airport 🧡【Tips】: For details, please click the one-click consultation guide Hou Binbin at the bottom left”
Retirement roaming in Xinjiang | Finding joy on the banks of the Yurungkash River
“Finally checked out the legendary "world's most expensive river" — the Yurungkash River, also known as the White Jade River 🌊 Snowmelt flowing down from the Kunlun Mountains covers the entire riverbank with fine pebbles.”
The Yurungqash River flows through Hotan in Xinjiang, rising on the north slope of the Kunlun Mountains. Because Hotan jade is found in the river, locals call it the White Jade River. In summer, snowmelt and calving glaciers in the Kunlun Mountains wash jade gravels into the river. Over millions of years, the current has polished them into white jade pebbles, and a few even become top-grade mutton-fat jade. 📍 Location: Hotan City, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (river section along Yurungqash River Avenue) 🕘 Opening hours: Open 24 hours. 📌 Actual operating status depends on conditions that day. During the summer snowmelt, the water runs high. If you plan to go down to the riverbank to look for stones, choose a time when the water level is stable. 💧 The White Jade River and Hotan jade ✨ Highlights: · In Old Uyghur, "Yurung" means "white." The river was named for its white jade (mutton-fat jade), and locals still call it the White Jade River. · Each summer, as snow melts and glaciers fracture and collapse, floods carry jade gravels and ice into the river. After millennia of polishing by the current, the gravels become white jade pebbles. · After joining the parallel Karakash River (the Black Jade River) to the west, the Yurungqash River forms the Hotan River, the largest river on the north slope of the Kunlun Mountains, which eventually flows into the Tarim River. 🪨 Riverbanks and jade picking ✨ Highlights: · To enhance visitor experiences, the local government has designated a jade-picking experience zone on the east bank of the Yurungqash River, where visitors can legally enjoy looking for jade within marked areas. · The riverbed is covered with water-rounded cobbles, with colors ranging from bluish-gray to milky white. Stepping on them produces a delicate crunching sound. · You can still spot jade diggers on the riverbank. They turn over stones with pickaxes and shovels, and may work all day without finding a good piece. · Looking south from the riverbank, the Kunlun snowline gleams in the distance, and the river changes color with the sky. 💎 Hotan jade markets ✨ Highlights: · Walk along Yurungqash River Avenue in Hotan City and you will find several sizable Hotan jade markets on both sides, offering everything from rough stones to finished pieces. · These markets used to be dominated by street stalls. Today, they are larger and more professional. If you want to quickly learn to judge the quality of Hotan jade, this is the best place to look around. 💡 Travel tips: During the summer snowmelt, the water level can rise very quickly. A seemingly gentle riverbank can turn into a rushing torrent at any time. Do not enter the water or dig for jade in the river, to avoid getting trapped. In the markets, compare carefully and buy only what you need. Be especially cautious with high-priced rough stones. Hotan has strong sun and frequent sand and wind. Bring a hat and sun protection. Come to Hotan and walk the jade road along the White Jade River!
“The Yurungqash River flows through Hotan in Xinjiang, rising on the north slope of the Kunlun Mountains.”
Hotan Travel
“In Hotan County during October–November, the poplars are just starting to turn gold, the wind is dry, and the sun makes you feel lazy ☀️ If you don't want to rush through attractions or spend a lot of money, just take it slow like this—it's really comfortable~ 🧳 First, let's talk budget (low-cost version, 4 days/3 nights) · Train/bus to Hotan City: Depends on your departure point; keep costs under control if you can, avoid flying ✈️→🚌 · Hotan City to Hotan County surroundings: Public transport + ride-sharing + shuttle bus, a few CNY to 20–30 CNY one way · Accommodation: Small hotels in the county or local guesthouses, 80–120 CNY/night, about 240–360 CNY for 3 nights · Food: Naan 2–3 CNY, lagman 18–25 CNY, barbecue 3–5 CNY/skewer, milk tea 5–10 CNY; 50–70 CNY a day will keep you full · Activities: Poplar forests, grasslands, bazaars, and villages are basically free; occasional transport/horse riding costs extra · Total: If you don't buy souvenirs or charter expensive cars, 💰600–900 CNY/person is enough to have a great time 🍂 Recommended spots (don't try to do too much; taking it slow is the real point) 1️⃣ Poplar forests along the Hotan River 🌳 Late October–early November is the best time.”
Explore the Hotan Museum! Facing the millennia-old mummy is truly shocking
“Stepping into the Hotan Museum feels like opening the long-sealed door to the history of the Western Regions.”
Hotan: A severely underrated hidden gem in Southern Xinjiang
“🏜 Hotan is severely underrated | Southern Xinjiang oasis old town + Ancient Khotan + desert sunset.”Explore Hotan City on the map
Frequently asked questions
What is Hotan City famous for?
−Hotan City is known for its wealth of attractions and things to do. Here are a few highlights: Hotan Night Market, Yurungqash River, and Hotan Museum.