Location

Hetian is also known as Hotan or Khotan. It is an oasis lying in the west of the Yurungkash River (also White Jade River). The city extends along the north foot of Kunlun Mountain, south of the Takla Makan Desert. Its land is fertile and loamy with Yunrungkash River and Karakax River flowing around it.

History

Situated in the south part of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the northwest of China, Hetian City has a long history and rich culture. The city served as the capital for the Kingdom of Khotan in ancient times. It has long been famous for its silk, jade and pottery products, especially as one of the important hubs on the ancient "Silk Road". The oasis of Hetian lies at the southern branch of "Silk Road" and links China with Tibet, India and Central Asia with one of the main routes. In ancient times, the city had been an important commercial and culture center where not only goods, but also technologies, religions and arts met and influenced each other.

People & Religion

In history, Hetian had served as a center of Buddhism learning under the Kushana Empire, an ancient Indian empire between BC269 and BC231. Buddhism prevailed in Hetian for hundreds of years until the 11th century AD, when Islam began to spread through Xinjiang after Musilim Arabs conquered the oasis. Nowadays, the city is almost exclusively populated by Uyghur, with Musilm as their religion.

Now, the city has a population of approximately 14,000, of which about 90% are from the Uyghur ethnic group. They wear a particular little embroidery hat to distinguish themselves from the Uyghur people from other places.

The local people are very versatile and they are very proud that Hetian is the home of the music and dance of the Uyghur People. Among all sorts of music there, 12 Mukams, which were created by a Uyghur girl in Hetian, are regarded to be the very heart and soul and are still very popular today.

Tourism Resources

Many people learn about Hetian first because of the famous Hetianese jade in the area. Hetianese jade has enjoyed great reputation since ancient time and now it is famous in China and right around the world.

Besides, with abundant of historic relics, unique geographical features and various specialties, Hetian is appealing for thousands of tourists from home and abroad. There are several ancient cities remains left by the Hetians tempestuous history, with a large number of precious historical relics and artifacts. The desert atmosphere with perishable items such as wood and fabric beneath the desert sand are also attractive fro archaeologists.