Thum, Rian

Khotan is a town in the Tarim Basin, or Eastern Turkistan. The town served as the centre of the ancient Buddhist Kingdoms of Khotan, the last of which was conquered by the Karakhānids (r. 225–608/840–1212). “Khotan” is also the name given to the surrounding oasis and to the regi…

Kashgar (Chaghatay: Kashghār; Uyghur: Qăshqăr) is an oasis town in the Tarim Basin, or Eastern Turkistan, which has been ruled alternately by various powers, including the Mongols, the Chinese, the Tibetans, and local nobles, among many others. The city’s name is often used to r…