Hotan

Hotan, also spelled Hetian or Khotan, is a prefecture-level city in southern Xinjiang, China. It serves as the administrative seat of Hotan Prefecture and lies on the northern edge of the Tarim Basin, in an oasis watered by the Hetian River. The city sits at the junction of traditional caravan routes and modern transportation corridors, with the Kunlun Mountains to the south and desert landscapes to the west.

Historically, Hotan was a key stop on the southern branch of the Silk Road, linking Central Asia with China proper. The area has long been associated with jade craft; Hetian jade, a nephrite product, has been valued since ancient times and remains a prominent export and cultural symbol.

Modern Hotan's economy combines agriculture with mineral extraction and handicrafts. Agriculture focuses on fruit crops such as apples and cotton; the region is renowned for its jade processing and traditional textiles and carpets. The population is primarily Uyghur, with minority communities including Hui and Han.

Transportation access includes Hotan Airport and the Southern Xinjiang Railway, plus highway connections to Kashgar and other cities. The climate is arid, characterized by hot summers, cool winters, and scarce precipitation, typical of the Tarim Basin oasis belt.