The oasis city of Khotan, or Hetian, was an early center for the spread of Buddhism before Islam arrived in the 9th century. For centuries, the city’s jade, carpets, and silk have been considered the finest in China, and are still produced in factories across city. According to legend, the secret of silk was first introduced to the region by a Chinese princess betrothed to a local prince in AD 440. Craftsmen carve fine jade items at the Jade Factory on Tanai Lu, while the Carpet Factory across the river is a friendly place also worth a visit, especially for those wishing to buy a carpet, as they are available here at bargain prices. Visitors interested in silk production can stop by the Hetian Silk Factory in the northeast of city.

Sections of the old city walls still stand on both sides of Nuerwake Lu. The chaotic local market takes place on Fridays and Sundays in the northeast of city. Though not as large as its famous counterpart in Kashgar, it is a colorful affair with livestock, fruit, silks, and carpets on sale.

At the end of the 19th century, the first rumors of the region’s lost cities – which inspired several expeditions – emanated from here. A detailed map, indicating the location of the buried cities, lies in the small Hetian Cultural Museum. Items of interest include fragments of silk, wooden utensils, and jewelry excavated from nearby lost cities, as well as the mummified corpses of a 10-year-old girl and a 35-year-old man with Indo-European features, which are 1,500 years old. The ruined city of Melikawat lies over 30 km south of city. All that remains of this once significant Buddhist center are crumbling walls, and shards of glass and pottery.