Hetian (Hotan) Travel Guide

Hotan (Uyghur: خوتەن/Hotǝn; Chinese: 和田; Hanyu Pinyin: Hétián, formerly: Simplified Chinese: 和阗; Traditional Chinese: 和闐; Hanyu Pinyin: Hétián; also spelled Khotan) is an oasis town in Khotan Prefecture and its capital as well, population 114,000 (2006). An important station on the southern route of the historic Silk Road, it has always depended on two strong rivers the Karakash River and the Yurungkash River to provide the water needed to survive on the southwestern edge of the vast Taklamakan desert.

Located in the south of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in western China, this ancient city has a rich history and was long famous for its silk, jade, and pottery products. See the Kingdom of Khotan article for more information on historic Hotan.

Climatic Features: located in the warm temperature zone, dominated by a dry continental desert climate; hot in summer and not too cold in winter; great temperature disparity between day and night with little rainfall and a high evaporation rate; frost-free of 182 and 226 days a year; an average sunshine time of 2470.4 to 2875.9 hours annually

Average Temperature: 11-12.1C
Rainfall: annual rainfall of 28.9 to 47.1 mm

Mountains: Karakorgan Range, Kunlun Range

Rivers: Karakax River, Yulongkax River, Hetian River, Aksu River, Yarkant River, and etc

Local Highlights: Hetian jade, Hetian sheep, Hetian silk, Hetian carpet

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