CITY · XINJIANG
Hotan
和田 · Hétián
Overview
Southern Xinjiang oasis city at the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, historically famous for jade and silk. The Sunday bazaar, jade river panning, carpet workshops and the desert fringe give it a character distinct from the more-visited northern Xinjiang cities.
Hotan (Khotan in historical sources) is an oasis city at the southern rim of the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang's Hotan Prefecture. The city stands at the confluence of the White Jade River (Yurungkash) and Black Jade River (Karakash), whose gravel beds have been the source of nephrite jade for at least 3,000 years — Hotan jade was traded east into China and west into Central Asia long before the first Silk Road accounts were written. The Han dynasty general Ban Chao reached Hotan in 73 CE and incorporated it into the Chinese sphere; the city changed hands repeatedly between Tibetan, Chinese, Arab and Uyghur powers through the following centuries.
The physical environment is extreme: the Taklamakan Desert lies directly north, and dust storms (buran) can reduce visibility to zero for hours. The oasis is kept alive by snowmelt rivers from the Kunlun Mountains to the south. Despite this, the Hotan area grows mulberry for silk production and the surrounding villages have maintained sericulture, carpet weaving and jade carving as crafts.
The Sunday Grand Bazaar is the largest market in the southern Xinjiang circuit and brings traders from surrounding villages and counties. It is held on a purpose-built site north of the city centre. The jade market — where private individuals sell raw jade pieces pulled from the river — operates most mornings near the White Jade River bridge. Carpet workshops, operating in a more factory-oriented form than in earlier decades, can be visited with some arrangement.
As with all of southern Xinjiang, Hotan operates under a significant security environment with checkpoints, registration requirements and restrictions on photography in sensitive areas.
Cultural & access notes
Hotan is almost entirely Uyghur in cultural character. Halal food is standard — pork is not available at most restaurants. Friday prayers at mosques are important; reduce activity near mosques at prayer times. The jade trade has deep cultural significance and operates on its own etiquette; do not photograph jade dealers or their goods without asking.
What to see
- Sunday Grand Bazaar — one of the largest markets in southern Xinjiang
- White Jade River — jade panning area near the river bridge
- Hotan jade market — early morning raw jade trading near the river
- Carpet and silk workshops — traditional craft production, some open to visitors
- Melikawat ruins — Han and Tang dynasty city remains 25 km south of Hotan
- Rawak Stupa ruins — 4th–5th century Buddhist stupa in the desert, significant archaeological site
- Regional Museum — jade history and Silk Road artefacts
What to eat
- Uyghur naan bread baked in a tandoor — the staple of southern Xinjiang
- Polo (lamb pilaf) — rice with carrots, onion and fatty lamb
- Samsa — baked lamb-filled pastries
- Manta (steamed dumplings with lamb and onion)
- Pomegranate juice and fresh pomegranates in season (autumn)
- Hotan mulberry wine — a local product from the region's mulberry orchards
Getting there
Hotan Airport (HTN) has flights from Urumqi (approximately 2 hours). The Southern Xinjiang Railway connects Kashgar, Yarkand and Hotan — train from Kashgar takes about 6–8 hours. The G315 highway along the southern Tarim Basin edge connects the oasis cities by road.
Getting around
Taxis and electric tricycles within the city. Hired vehicles for sites outside the urban area. The Sunday bazaar is north of the city — taxi or local bus.
Where to stay
Hotels in the city centre; foreign visitors must use hotels licensed to host non-Chinese nationals. Confirm this before booking.
We list neighbourhoods, not specific hotels — we don't endorse hotels.
When to go
April–May and September–October are the most comfortable periods. Summer (June–August) is extremely hot (40°C+) and dusty. Winter is cold but dry.
Budget guide (CNY per day)
| Backpacker | ¥250 |
| Mid-range | ¥520 |
| Comfortable | ¥1200 |
Safety notes
Security is intensive throughout Hotan Prefecture — passport and ID checks at city entry points, hotels, bus and train stations, markets and some shops. Photograph only civilian scenes and avoid photographing checkpoints, police, military installations or government buildings. Hotels licensed for foreign guests are required; confirm availability before travel. Check current travel advisories.
Other cities in Xinjiang
- Altay阿勒泰
Remote city in far northern Xinjiang at the base of the Altai Mountains, bordering Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Kanas Lake, Hemu village and skiing at Keketuohai are the main draws; this is China's coldest winter destination.
- Kanas喀纳斯
An alpine lake and valley system in the Altay Mountains of northern Xinjiang, home to Tuvan villages, Siberian flora and fauna, and one of China's most remote scenic areas.
- Kashgar喀什
Western terminus of practical Chinese travel — closer to Tehran than to Beijing. The Old City, the Sunday Animal Bazaar, the Apak Hoja Tomb, and the Karakoram Highway south to Pakistan.
- Kuqa库车
Former Kucha kingdom capital on the northern Silk Road, rich in Kizil cave temple murals and Kushan-period Buddhist heritage. The old bazaar, Molnur Grand Canyon and the Quzi Pusha Mosque make it the most historically layered stop on the northern Tarim route.
- Nalati那拉提
A Kazakh highland grassland scenic area in the Ili Valley of central Xinjiang, known for its sweeping summer meadows, wildflowers, and traditional yurt encampments.
- Turpan吐鲁番
Desert oasis 150 km southeast of Urumqi at -154m below sea level — the lowest point in China. Jiaohe ancient ruins, Bezeklik Buddhist caves, the Karez well system, Flaming Mountains, and the country's grape capital.
- Urumqi乌鲁木齐
Capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The most westerly major Chinese city, with Uyghur and Han culture, the Heavenly Lake, and the gateway to Kashgar and the Pamirs.
- Yining伊宁
Capital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture in northwest Xinjiang, positioned in the green Ili River Valley near the Kazakhstan border. Distinctive Russian and Kazakh architectural influence, the Kazakh grasslands of Nalati and Sayram Lake are within a day's reach.
Food of Northwestern China
- Biangbiang Noodlesbiáng biáng 面
Wide, hand-pulled, belt-shaped Shaanxi noodles. The 'biang' character is the most complex in the Chinese language.
- Big Plate Chicken大盘鸡
A large-portioned Xinjiang braised chicken dish with potatoes, peppers and thick hand-pulled belt noodles.
- Hand-Grasped Lamb手抓羊肉
Large bone-in lamb pieces boiled in spiced water and eaten by hand — a communal dish of Inner Mongolia and the northwest.
- Laghman (Hand-Pulled Noodles with Lamb)拉条子
Uyghur hand-pulled wheat noodles with a lamb-and-vegetable sauce of tomato, pepper and onion.
Hotan weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 1 | 8 | 18 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 29 | 20 | 11 | 3 |
| Low °C | -8 | -3 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 16 | 8 | 0 | -6 |
| Rain mm | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Rain days | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2019–2023 average via Open-Meteo ERA5 (ERA5 reanalysis). "Rain days" = days per month with ≥1 mm precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Hotan?
- The best months to visit Hotan are April, May, September, and October. April–May and September–October are the most comfortable periods. Summer (June–August) is extremely hot (40°C+) and dusty.
- How many days do you need in Hotan?
- Plan 3 days for Hotan if you want to see the headline sights without rushing — Sunday Grand Bazaar, White Jade River, Hotan jade market. Add an extra day for day trips from the city or for repeat visits to your favourite neighbourhood.
- Is Hotan safe for tourists?
- Security is intensive throughout Hotan Prefecture — passport and ID checks at city entry points, hotels, bus and train stations, markets and some shops. Photograph only civilian scenes and avoid photographing checkpoints, police, military installations or government buildings. Hotels licensed for foreign guests are required; confirm availability before travel.
- How do you get around Hotan?
- Taxis and electric tricycles within the city. Hired vehicles for sites outside the urban area. The Sunday bazaar is north of the city — taxi or local bus.
- What's the daily budget for Hotan?
- Budget guide for Hotan: backpackers from around ¥250/day, mid-range travellers ¥520/day, comfortable trips from ¥1200/day. These ranges cover accommodation, food, local transport and one paid sight per day, and exclude flights to and from the city.
- Where should you stay in Hotan?
- Hotels in the city centre; foreign visitors must use hotels licensed to host non-Chinese nationals. Confirm this before booking.
Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction.
Research
Cross-checked against primary sources
Verified
Address, hours, fees confirmed at the date shown
Updated
Re-verified periodically; corrections welcome