Hotan Airport

Hotan Airport (HTN) serves the oasis city of Hotan in southern Xinjiang, China, handling domestic flights that connect this remote region to the national network. The airport sits about 10 kilometres south of Hotan city centre, on the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Its single runway and compact terminal process a modest volume of passengers, most of whom are travelling to or from Urumqi, with additional seasonal flights to Beijing and Xi'an. For anyone heading into the heart of the Silk Road's southern route, this is the practical entry point — dusty, functional, and surprisingly efficient given its location. The airport operates during daylight hours only, with the busiest times reported on Monday at 3 pm, Tuesday at 11 am, Wednesday at 9 am, and Thursday at 2 pm, so planning around these peaks can save time at check-in and security.

Getting There

Hotan city centre is about 20 minutes by taxi from the airport, depending on traffic. Taxis queue outside the arrivals hall and charge a flat rate of around 30–40 yuan (as of 2025). Alternatively, public buses route 1 and 9 run between the airport and the city's main bus station, with a journey time of roughly 40 minutes and a fare of just 1 yuan. The bus stop is directly outside the terminal, though services are less frequent early in the morning and after 8 pm. For those driving, the airport is accessible via the S210 provincial road, which connects to the city's ring road. Parking is available in a small lot adjacent to the terminal; rates are inexpensive, about 2 yuan per hour. The airport does not offer car rental services on site, so private drivers are arranged through hotels or travel agencies in advance. Given Hotan's position at the edge of the Taklamakan, road conditions can vary — summer sandstorms and winter fog occasionally delay surface travel, so allow extra time during these seasons.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is a single-storey building divided into departures on the left and arrivals on the right. The structure is modern, built in the early 2010s, with high ceilings and large windows that let in natural light. Security checks are thorough but move quickly outside the peak hours listed above. All confirmed facilities — wheelchair-accessible entrance, car park, toilet, and wheelchair-accessible toilet — are present and well-maintained. The main concourse contains a waiting area with about 200 seats, two small shops selling snacks, drinks, and local products such as Hotan jade trinkets and dried fruit, and a single cafe offering tea, instant noodles, and basic pastries. Free Wi-Fi is available with a Chinese phone number for verification; foreign passports may not work, so download necessary maps beforehand. There are no lounges, no duty-free, and no prayer room. The atmosphere is quiet and orderly, with announcements in Mandarin and Uyghur. Baggage claim is straightforward, with one carousel. The terminal is compact enough that arriving passengers can be on the curb within 10 minutes of landing.

Hotan Airport and Hotan Prefecture

Hotan Prefecture, known historically as Khotan, lies in the southwestern part of Xinjiang, bordered by the Kunlun Mountains to the south and the Taklamakan Desert to the north. This region has been a crossroads of civilisations for over two thousand years, a vital link on the Silk Road where Chinese, Indian, Persian, and Central Asian influences mingled. The most famous product of Hotan is its jade — nephrite jade mined from the Kunlun Mountains and prized in Chinese culture for millennia. Visitors can explore the Hotan Jade Market, a chaotic and fascinating bazaar where raw stones, carved pieces, and jewellery are traded. Another essential stop is the Hotan Museum, which houses mummies from the Taklamakan Desert, ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and artefacts from the region's pre-Islamic era. The city itself retains a strong Uyghur character, with narrow alleys, mosque spires, and the scent of cumin and lamb wafting from street stalls. Just outside the city, the ruins of the Buddhist kingdom of Rawak and the nearby desert outpost of Melikawat offer a glimpse into a vanished world. For travellers seeking the extreme landscape, the Taklamakan Desert — nicknamed the 'Sea of Death' — is accessible via organised tours that explore the ancient cities buried beneath its dunes. Hotan is also a centre for carpet weaving, with workshops where silk carpets are hand-knotted using traditional patterns. Despite its remote location, the prefecture sees a steady flow of Chinese tourists, archaeologists, and adventure travellers. Safety checkpoints are common on roads, and foreign visitors must carry their passports at all times. The best times to visit are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) when temperatures are mild; summer can exceed 40°C and winter nights drop below -10°C.

Practical Information

Hotan Airport is open daily from about 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, but flight schedules vary seasonally. The official phone number for inquiries is +86 903 293 3200. There is no official website for the airport; flight information is best checked through Chinese booking platforms like Ctrip or Flight Master. The airport does not have a currency exchange or ATM that accepts foreign cards reliably, so bring enough Chinese yuan for taxis, food, and any purchases. The nearest ATM accepting international cards is in Hotan city centre at the Bank of China on Beijing Road. Smoking is prohibited inside the terminal, but there is a designated area outside. Luggage storage is not available. One concrete tip: if you have a connecting flight through Urumqi, allow at least two hours for the security re-check at Diwopu Airport, as transfers there can be cumbersome.