The former Buddhist centre of Melikawat (Malikewate Gucheng) is just 28km south of Khotan. It once served as a major Buddhist centre in the Kingdom of Khotan.

The Buddhist Kingdom of Khotan traces its history back at least as far as the 3rd century BCE; when the eldest son of the Indian emperor Asoka is said to have settled there. It was long of great importance on the Silk Road; and is claimed to have been the first place outside China to have cultivated silk.

It sits astride the Karakash or 鈥楤lack Jade' and Yurungkash or 鈥榃hite Jade' Rivers; which here conjoin to form the Khotan Darya; and has been famous for its jade for well over two millennia. In times past trade routes crossed the desert to the north all the way to Kuqa; and as recently as 2007 this link has been re-established for the first time in centuries with the opening of a second Desert Highway leading to Aksu; distant some 424km to the north. Pictures From Asia Pictures From Asia