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Khotan, a major region on the Silk Road and the starting point of the Jade Road, is located in the south of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, north of the Karakoram Mountains, and on the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert. To its east, it borders Qiemo County in the Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture. It is renowned for its Khotan jade, Adelis silk and hand-woven carpets and is known as the "Hometown of Jade" and the "Hometown of Silk".
In recent years, thanks to its unique jade cultrue, Silk Road heritage and folk customs, tourism in Khotan has developed rapidly. A number of high-quality scenic spots such as Yotkan Ancient City and Tuancheng Folk Area have been built. The continuous improvement of transportation and supporting facilities has boosted visitor numbers year by year. The local tourism industry has shifted from simple sightseeing to immersive cultural experience, night tours and intangible cultural heritage activities, forming a distinctive tourism pattern and becoming an important cultural tourism destination in southern Xinjiang.
Splendid history—Khotan has more than 2,000 years of history and was a crucial hub on the ancient Southern Silk Road. It also serves as a vital bridge for cultural and economic exchanges between the East and the West, leaving us numerous historical relics such as ancient Buddhist sites and ancient city ruins, which vividly record the prosperity and integration of civilizations along the Silk Road.
Profound Culture—Khotan enjoys a worldwide reputation as the hometown of Khotan jade, Atlas silk, Mulberry Paper, and hand-woven carpets, representing the essence of local intangible cultural heritage. You can immerse yourselves in distinctive Uyghur folk customs, appreciate exquisite traditional craftsmanship, stroll in well-preserved ancient residential blocks, and deeply feel the unique charm of time-honored oasis culture.
Natural Beauty—Khotan presents breathtaking and diverse natural landscapes, from the snow-capped grand Kunlun Mountains to the endless Taklamakan Desert, and from the crystal-clear jade-producing rivers to the vibrant and tranquil oases. The magnificent contrast of deserts, mountains and oases forms a uniquely spectacular scenery that is rare seen elsewhere.
Tastey Foods—Khotan offers a rich variety of authentic and flavorful local delicacies. you can taste juicy roasted buns, tender thin-skinned buns, roasted goose-eggs, fragrant lamb dishes, sweet seasonal fruits and nutrient-rich dried fruits. Every bite is full of distinctive regional flavors of southern Xinjiang.
Top Attractions
The Yulongkashi River
The Yulongkashi River, also known as the White Jade River, originates from the glaciers on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains, stretching about 504 kilometers in length. It has been famous since ancient times for producing high-quality Khotan white jade, including suet jade pebbles. If you want to experience the thrill of hunting for treasures, come here to look for jade pieces in person.
The Yotegan Ancient City
The Yotegan Ancient City is about 10 kilometers from downtown. Built in the style of the ancient Khotan royal city, it combines Central Plains, Persian and Greek cultural elements with a strong exotic vibe, perfect for photography. A large number of precious cultural relics have been unearthed here in modern times, making it an important cultural site of the Silk Road. You can enjoy unique architecture, folk and night shows, and experience intangible cultural heritage such as silk weaving, pottery and jade polishing.
Khotan Museum
Khotan Museum houses about 20,000 cultural relics unearthed along the southern Silk Road, highlighted by the replica of the brocade armband Five Stars Rise in the East Benefiting China, artifacts from the Niya Site, ancient mummies, and Khotan jade masterpieces. These exhibits vividly reflect the integration of Eastern and Western civilizations and the unique oasis culture in southern Xinjiang. It is an ideal place to deeply understand the splendid history of Khotan and the Silk Road.
Khotan Emerald Lake
Khotan Emerald Lake is located on the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. It is a breathtaking spot jointly created by the snowmelt water from the Kunlun Mountains and ecological governance projects. Due to the different concentrations of minerals in the lake water, it presents a varied color from mint green to deep blue-green. Combined with the desert and poplar trees, the scenery is unique. The best viewing periods are summer (when the lake water is the clearest) and autumn (when the poplar trees are golden yellow).
Overall Climate of Khotan
Spring (Mar–May):
Mild and dry with large temperature fluctuations: 5–22°C (41–72°F); frequent windy and dusty days with occasional sandstorms.
Summer (Jun–Aug):
Hot and arid: 18–35°C (64–95°F), often exceeding 38°C (100°F) with intense sunshine and low humidity.
Autumn (Sep–Nov):
Clear, cool and pleasant: 2–26°C (36–79°F), sunny days with minimal rainfall, ideal for traveling and photography.
Winter (Dec–Feb):
Cold, dry and calm: -10–5°C (14–41°F), average low around -8°C (18°F), extreme minimum below -25°C (-13°F), with little snowfall.
Scenic & Nature Enthusiasts : (May–August & October–November)
Khotan is located at the junction of the Kunlun Mountains and the Taklamakan Desert, presenting a rare landscape where deserts and water systems coexist. Meltwater from the snow-capped peaks nourishes diverse ecosystems including rivers, lakes and wetlands, which creates a striking visual contrast between the vast desert and clear waters. The picturesque natural scenery like Khotan Emerald Lake, Khotan River, and Larikun National Wetland Park all remain well-preserved, where you will have a peaceful and authentic immersive experience.
Cultural & History lovers : (March–May & September–November)
Khotan is famous as “the hometown of Khotan jade”, carrying thousands of years of jade mining, craftsmanship and trading culture. The region preserves numerous historical sites, ancient Buddhist grottoes, ruins of ancient kingdoms and traditional settlements, witnessing the exchanges and integration of Eastern and Western civilizations. In addition, it retains rich and authentic Uyghur folk customs, traditional crafts and ancient living habits, allowing you to deeply experience the unique regional culture of the southern Xinjiang region.
Slow travel and leisure visitors: (April–October)
The scenic areas in Khotan are less commercialized, quiet and less crowded, with a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere far from busy urban life. The combination of vast deserts, clear lakes, wetlands and rivers creates a calm natural environment ideal for relaxing, walking and enjoying scenery slowly. The region also has a slow pace of life and simple folk customs. You can take a leisurely stroll in the Yotegan Ancient City and Tuancheng, quite pleasant and comfortable.
Food & Nightlife Seekers: (May–September)
Khotan boasts famous night markets offering over a hundred authentic Uyghur specialties, such as grilled meats, roasted quail, baked buns, “kumach” flatbread, stuffed tripe, yogurt rice dumplings, and the iconic “three-egg one-star” roasted eggs with honey and saffron. The markets also serve fresh pomegranate juice, herbal tea, and sweet local fruits, providing rich and unique tastes rarely found elsewhere. At night, the markets are full of strong street food vibes, accompanied by lively ethnic music and dance performances. You can enjoy distinctive cuisine while experiencing local folk customs.
For jade-lovers: (April–October)
If you ask anyone what Khotan is famous for, their first answer must definitely be Khotan jade (Nephrite) as it is the most authentic source of Khotan jade in the world, with a history of thousands of years. You can search for raw jade stones by hand in the Yurungkash and Karakash Rivers, visit traditional jade carving workshops to appreciate exquisite craftsmanship, and explore local jade markets to select unique pieces.
Khotan’s transportation network connects this remote southern Xinjiang gem to many popular tourist cities across China and within the region. You can travel to Khotan either by flight or by train, which is convenient for you to explore this scenic destination.
By flight:
-Beijing: From Beijing Capital International Airport to Khotan Kungang Airport (4h30).
-Xi’an: From Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Khotan Kungang Airport (4h30).
-Chengdu: From Chengdu Tianfu/Shuangliu International Airport to Khotan Kungang Airport (4h30).
-Chongqing: From Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport to Khotan Kungang Airport (4h10-5h).
-Zhengzhou: From Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport to Khotan Kungang Airport (4h30).
-Kashgar: From Kashgar Airport to Khotan Kungang Airport (1h).
-Urumqi: From Urumqi Diwopu International Airport to Khotan Kungang Airport (1h55-2h20).
By Train
- Urumqi: Direct trains from Urumqi to Khotan (21h34-23h10).
- Kashgar: Direct high-speed trains from Kashgar to Khotan (5h02).
- Chongqing: Direct trains from Chongqing West to Khotan (52h16).
- Korla: Direct tourist trains from Korla to Khotan (approx. 16h).
Transportation
Taxis or Ride-hailing
-Coverage: Serves downtown Khotan and nearby suburbs.
-Fare: Starting fare ¥8≤3 km, ¥1.5–2/km beyond; slight surcharge at night.
Public Buses
-Coverage: Mainly serves the urban area, with some routes extending to suburbs.
-Fare: ¥1–2/ride, cash or mobile payment.
Shared E-scooters/Bicycles
-Best for: Short trips like exploring downtown attractions or slow travel to experience local life.
Chartered Cars/Self-driving
-Best for: Visiting remote natural attractions or pursuing flexible and in-depth travel.
Accommodation
Khotan offers a wide range of accommodation options, mainly in the urban core, catering to all types of travelers from budget backpackers to luxury seekers, with generally high cost-effectiveness.
The map of Khotan you might need
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