hotan, once a key post on the ancient silk road, lies in the southernmost part of china's xinjiang uygur autonomous region. it was both a major commercial center for jade and silk trade and one of the principal places through which buddhism reached northern china. it has the world's smallest temple.
travel tips:
location: situated in the tarim basin some 1,500 kilometers (about 900miles) southwest of urumqi, capital city of xinjiang.
transportation: hotan airport, china national highway 315, kashgar–hotan railway
attractions: hotan cultural museum, atlas silk factory, hotan bazaar
best travel time: june to september
