luopu

Luopu, also written Luopu County (洛浦县), is a county within Hotan Prefecture in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. It is situated in the southern part of Xinjiang, in the Tarim Basin, and borders several neighboring counties. The county seat is the town of Luopu, which serves as the administrative center.

Geography and climate are characteristic of the basin, with an arid to semi-arid climate, sparse rainfall, and large desert and alluvial plain areas. Irrigation from local rivers supports agricultural activity in the population centers and surrounding farmland. The landscape and climate influence land use, transportation, and settlement patterns within the county.

Economy and infrastructure rely largely on agriculture and animal husbandry, complemented by small-scale industry and services. Common crops include staple grains and cotton in the broader region, with livestock such as sheep and camels playing a traditional role in rural livelihoods. Transportation connections link Luopu to other parts of Hotan Prefecture and Xinjiang, supporting trade, market access, and regional mobility.

Demographics are predominantly Uyghur with minority groups, reflecting broader patterns in southern Xinjiang. Local languages include Uyghur and Mandarin, and the community is shaped by the religious and cultural practices common to the region. The area has historical ties to Silk Road trade routes and has seen administrative changes through various Chinese dynasties, with the modern county status established in the 20th century as part of Xinjiang’s regional governance.

Luopu is part of a broader Tarim Basin context, a region noted for its desert landscapes, irrigation-based agriculture, and long-standing cultural exchanges along historic routes.