Hotan Tuancheng Scenic Area is located at No. 98 Gujiang North Road, Narbag Street, Hotan City, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in the central area of Hotan. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, a national tourist leisure block, and a regional night culture and tourism consumption gathering area. The scenic area covers an area of 83 hectares and was originally a traditional shantytown in the old city of Hotan. It is named for its central divergent layout with streets surrounding it, meaning the "City of Unity," symbolizing the close unity of all ethnic groups in Hotan. The scenic area retains the authentic "Aywan" architectural style, with distinctive features such as mosaic brick walls, wooden carved doors and windows, earth-brown tiles, and arched skylights, reflecting the local folk customs.
History and Culture
The old urban area of Hotan Tuancheng has a history of more than 600 years and profound cultural heritage. In the past, it was a trading market for flowers, birds, insects, and fish. The houses were mostly rammed earth and brick-wood structures, with backward infrastructure and poor environmental hygiene, known as the "Pigeon Alley." In 2016, the local government invested a total of 317 million yuan (including 132 million yuan of Beijing's aid to Hotan) to renovate the old urban area (Tuancheng). Adhering to the concept of "one street, one plan; one household, one design," it repaired buildings and improved infrastructure, transforming it into a folk custom block where traditional residences and characteristic shops are organically integrated. This has made it a new landmark tourist attraction in Hotan, inheriting the folk customs of the Uyghur nationality.
Main Attractions
Tuancheng Renjia (Tuancheng Family)
It features extremely ethnic "Aywan"-style architecture. The narrow stairs at the entrance are a popular photo spot. Its unique architectural style attracts many tourists to take photos. The interior may also display the living scenes and characteristic decorations of the Uyghur nationality.
"Grape Garden" Homestay
One of the internet-famous photo spots in Tuancheng, with 10 different types of guest rooms for tourists. About 200 people visit and take photos here every day. Here, grape trellises spread, full of life atmosphere. Tourists can experience characteristic accommodation and feel the local customs here.
Food Photo Wall
It gathers the introduction and display of many Hotan characteristic foods, serving as a window for tourists to understand Hotan's food culture. It is also suitable for taking photos to leave food memories.
Pigeon Pavilion
As a witness to the history of Tuancheng's former "Pigeon Alley," it may have a unique shape, and the surrounding environment also has a unique charm. It is a landmark attraction for tourists during their tour.
Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Area
In the block, there are intangible cultural heritage exhibitions and experience activities such as Adlais silk, Hotan handmade wool carpets, Hotan traditional woodcarving techniques, and Hotan medicinal tea production techniques. Tourists can witness the production process of craftsmen and even participate in person, deeply understanding the local traditional culture and feeling the charm of intangible cultural heritage.
Food
Samsa (Baked Bun)
It has a crispy skin and tender meat. Made with flour as the skin and mutton as the filling, adding appropriate seasonings, it is wrapped into a bun shape and baked in a nang pit. You can taste delicious and authentic Samsa in shops like Resit Samsa Shop next to the old teahouse.
Handmade Ice Cream
Made by traditional methods, it has many characteristic flavors such as Maran sugar, cool and refreshing. Local characteristic ingredients may be added during the production process, with a unique taste.
Roast Whole Lamb
Select fat and strong sheep. After slaughtering, scalding, dehairing, pickling, and seasoning, it is roasted with fruit charcoal fire in a special nang pit. The outer skin is golden and crispy, the meat is tender and juicy, full of aroma, and it is a common food in Hotan Tuancheng Night Market.
Hand-Grabbed Rice
Braised with rice, mutton, carrots, onions, and other ingredients. The mutton is tender, and the sweetness of carrots and onions melts into the rice, which is rich in nutrition and has rich taste layers.
Roasted Eggs
Eggs such as chicken eggs and duck eggs are specially processed and roasted over charcoal fire. Roasted eggs have a unique taste and rich flavor. They are characteristic snacks sold by Zulipikaer Tohe, an old resident of Tuancheng, in the night market, which are deeply loved by tourists.
Yogurt Zongzi (Rice Dumpling)
The zongzi is cut into small pieces, poured with mellow yogurt, and then sprinkled with white sugar or honey, etc. The zongzi is soft and glutinous, and the yogurt is sweet and sour, with a wonderful taste, which is a unique dessert.
Roasted Lamb Chop with Mulberry Jam
It is said that the recipe is derived from the ancient Yutian Royal Palace cooking classics, an innovative food after improvement. The roasted lamb chop is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, integrated with the sweet and sour taste of mulberry jam, with a unique flavor, becoming an internet-famous photo food.
Tickets
Free admission.
Opening Hours
Open all day, but some internal shops and experience activities may have their own business hours, such as some intangible cultural heritage exhibition areas and restaurants. It is recommended to choose daytime for playing to fully experience various activities, and at night, you can enjoy the night view of Tuancheng and participate in night performances and other activities.
Tour Route
After entering from the scenic area entrance, first go to Tuancheng Renjia to take photos and feel the "Aywan" architectural style; then go to the Food Photo Wall to understand Hotan's food culture; then walk to the Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Area to experience intangible cultural heritage skills such as Adlais silk weaving and woodcarving production; then go to the "Grape Garden" homestay to visit; finally, visit the Pigeon Pavilion. In the evening, you can go to the Food Culture Street to taste characteristic foods and enjoy night performances, folk performances, and other activities.
Transportation
- Bus: You can query the bus routes in Hotan City, take the bus that can reach the vicinity of Narbag Street, and walk to the scenic area after getting off.
- Taxi: Take a taxi in Hotan City and tell the driver to go to Hotan Tuancheng Scenic Area directly, which is convenient and fast.
- Self-driving: Set the destination as Hotan Tuancheng Scenic Area (No. 98 Gujiang North Road, Narbag Street, Hotan City, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region) through the navigation software, and there are parking lots around the scenic area for parking.
Must-visit Attractions
- Tuancheng Renjia: A typical "Aywan"-style building, a popular photo spot, allowing you to intuitively feel the local architectural characteristics and customs.
- Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Area: Gathering many Hotan intangible cultural heritage skills, you can personally feel the charm of traditional handicrafts and understand the local deep cultural heritage.
- Food Culture Street: Concentrating many Hotan characteristic foods, you can taste the local authentic flavors in one stop and satisfy your taste buds.
- "Grape Garden" Homestay: An internet-famous photo spot, with a unique accommodation experience and environment, allowing you to feel the local life atmosphere.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to play for 1-2 days. During the day, fully visit each attraction and participate in intangible cultural heritage experience activities. At night, enjoy the night view, taste food, and watch performances to deeply experience the charm of Tuancheng.
- Prepare sunscreen products, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, etc., as the sunlight in Hotan is strong.
- Wear light and comfortable shoes, as the scenic area is mainly for walking, which is convenient for long-time walking.
- Reserve a certain budget to buy characteristic handicrafts and souvenirs, such as Adlais silk products, woodcarvings, handmade carpets, etc.
Notes
- Respect the local religious beliefs and customs, such as paying attention to decent clothing when entering some religious places and not taking photos casually.
- Take care of the environment of the scenic area, do not spit or litter, and keep the scenic area clean.
- When participating in intangible cultural heritage experience activities or purchasing handicrafts, understand the price in advance to avoid unnecessary disputes.
- When tasting food, pay attention to food hygiene to avoid physical discomfort caused by eating unclean food.
- When playing in the scenic area at night, pay attention to the safety of personal belongings and avoid going to remote and dim corners.