GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT HOTAN

The Hotan Prefecture is the place where the states of Pishan,Yutian, Shumi,Qule, Jingjue,Shulu,etc countries in ancient times, since Western Han, Yushan kingdom adscripte Western Han formally, Shangyuan the 2nd year in Tang(675), set up Pisha Superintendent's Office, set up Shizhou. It was the fief of a of Mongolian prince in Yuan Danasty, 16th year of Zhiyuan to 26th year(1279-1289)set up Xuanwei envoy marshal mansion. Qianlong 24th year(1759) set up Hetian amban in Qing Dynasty, was controlled by Yerqiang amban. Hotan city set up three grades of medicines Aqimu Boke. Guangxu 9th year(1883) set up Hotan directly under prefecture, administered Yumin? Luopu two counties, the republic of China 2nd year(1913) changed directly under prefecture into county. the republic of China 9th year(1920),belonged to Kashiger road's Yecheng? Pishan? Hotan? Yutan? Moyu? Luopu six counties and Qira county built Hotan road, later was changed into district, set up Kotwal office, the republic of China 31th year(1942),Yecheng belonged to Shache. The republic of China 32th year(1943)changed Kotwal office into district superintend commissioner office, district was changed into a special administrative area, after new China was set up, early in 1950 built Hotan commissioner office, in 1959 changed Hotan into Hotan, in 1977,built Hotan region administration office.

PLACES TO VISIT IN HOTAN

LOCAL CUISINES OF HOTAN

Xinjiang food has much more of a Central Asian flavor to it than a Chinese taste. Hotan is one of the best cities in the region to sample authentic Xinjiang cuisine and there are literally thousands of tiny Uigur restaurants dotted about the place serving up local specialties.

The area around the Evening Bazzar is a lively district to begin your culinary adventures. The streets around here and near Long Distance Bus Station are full of Uigur restaurants serving local specialties including mutton kebabs, Nan bread stew, Uigur rice, roast fish and noodles.

One of the most gourmet dishes of Uigur cuisine is whole roast lamb, a rare treat only found at Uigur celebrations and special occasions.

SHOPPING - LOCAL SPECIALITY OF HOTAN

Hetian jade, Hetian sheep, Hetian silk, Hetian carpet,Hotan Walnut

TRANSPORTATION TO AND WITHIN HOTAN

By plane:
There are daily flights between Hotan and Urumqi. The flight takes one and a half hours and costs around RBM1300. Leaving Hotan for Urumqi is no easy task. It is a good idea to book tickets as far in advance as possible. This can be done at the Xinjiang Airline Office on Jiefang Nan Lu, south of the People's Hotel. Local travel agencies charge RMB50 to book each plane ticket. The airport is 11 km from the city center and there are regular bus services from the airport to the city for RMB6. A taxi should cost approximately RMB30.

By bus:
The bus between Urumqi and  Hotan goes via Korla,Aksu, Kuqa, Toksun and Kashgar. The trip takes about 46 hours and costs RMB300. Sleeper buses are more comfortable and cost RMB450. Some people hire jeeps and drivers and cover the distance this way. There is another way from Hotan to Urumqi, which across the Taklimakan Desert goes via Korla,Luntai,Niya and Kiriya,it takes 28hours and cost 200.Sleeper buses are more comfortable and cost RMB350.

CLIMATE OF 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