Atlas of China
Niya ruins 尼雅遗址Níyǎ Yízhǐ
National heritage site · Hotan, Xinjiang
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
- Days to budget
- 2 days
- City
- Hotan
- Region
- Xinjiang
- Type
- Heritage
- Listed as
- National heritage site
About Niya ruins
The ruins of Jingjue (Cadota), an oasis kingdom on the southern Silk Road that flourished from the Western Han to the Western Jin, scattered along the dried lower course of the Niya River deep in the Taklamakan. Remains of timber-framed houses, orchards, a stupa, Buddhist shrines and cemeteries lie among the dunes; they were first excavated by Aurel Stein from 1901 and again by Chinese–Japanese teams from about 1990. Finds include many Kharoshthi documents and the Han brocade armguard inscribed 'Five stars rising in the east benefit China', now in the Xinjiang Museum in Ürümqi.
How to get to Niya ruins
About 100 km north of Minfeng town across the dunes, reached only by off-road vehicle. Entry to the site needs prior approval from the authorities, so check the current rules before planning.
On the map
Open Niya ruins on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it and what else is close, and to add it to a trip.
Open Niya ruins on the map