- China Destination Guide

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China Destination Guide - Hotan 和田

Hotan was once the centre of a Buddhist empire and hugely important along the Southern Silk Route. Famous for jade, silk and carpet weaving in it's heyday it has long been a major trading post and still boasts one of the best Sunday markets in the whole of Xinjiang province. However, it isn't Kashgar and is generally only visited as part of an extended trip along the difficult and remote Southern Silk Road.

What there is to see in Hotan:

The highlight which brings the tourists in is the Sunday market which is much less commercial than the one in Kashgar. Jade trinkets and local knives as well as carpets are the items of main interest.
The deserts surrounding Hotan contain places of historical and archaelogical interest including several cemetaries which can be visited.

Best time to visit Hotan

April and May as well as September and October are the best months. The summer is also well visited but hot and dry while the winters are freezing!

Best reason to visit Hotan

The Sunday Market is Hotan's highlight so make sure a visit here falls on that day.

Our last word on Hotan

An essential stop along the difficult Southern Silk Road, if you get here you really will be seeing a part of China not often visited.