Uluwati Scenic Area

　　Uluwati Scenic Area was rated as a National AAA-level Tourist Attraction in December 2007. It is situated at the mountain pass of the upper reaches of the Karakash River on the southern slopes of the Kunlun Mountains, within Langru Township, Hotan County. It is 71 kilometers from Hotan City and sits at an elevation of 1,900 meters. As a valley river-blocking reservoir, it serves multiple purposes including irrigation, flood control, power generation, fish farming, ecological protection, and tourism. The hub project consists of the main dam and auxiliary dams, an open spillway on the right bank, flood discharge and sediment flushing tunnels, a sediment flushing tunnel on the left bank, a power generation water intake system, main and auxiliary powerhouses, and a 110-kilovolt indoor switchyard, among other structures. The Uluwati Water Control Project is located on the northern edge of the West Kunlun Fold Belt, in the northern part of the Tiekeli Fault uplift zone, which stretches 240 kilometers from east to west and about 40 kilometers from north to south, composed of Proterozoic green schist formations. The Uluwati Water Control Project lies at the mountain pass of the upper Karakash River on the southern slopes of the Kunlun Mountains. It is a large regulating reservoir with multiple benefits such as irrigation, flood control, power generation, fish farming, ecological protection, and tourism. The river at the hub site forms an "S" shape. The reservoir has an average depth of 15 meters, reaching up to 40 meters at its deepest. The dam is 131.8 meters high, 12 meters wide at the crest, and 365 meters long, with a normal water storage level of 1,962 meters. Supporting facilities include flood control, sediment flushing, diversion tunnels, and open channels. The reservoir’s backwater stretch is 23.5 kilometers long, with a water surface width ranging from 400 to 70 meters, covering an area of 12.93 square kilometers. Its total storage capacity is 347 million cubic meters. The installed capacity is 60 megawatts, with an annual power generation of 89 million kilowatt-hours. This reservoir construction project is a key national water conservancy initiative, with an investment of 2.5 billion RMB. Construction began in August 1993, river closure was achieved on September 2, 1997, water storage commenced ahead of schedule in August 1998, and the project was completed and connected to the Hotan power grid in 2001. There are several small islands in the southern part of the reservoir area, covered with abundant vegetation and serving as a haven for birds such as grey cranes, wild ducks, and geese. The surrounding areas are made up of dry, eroded low mountains that are steep, towering, and uniquely shaped—offering a distant view of the “silver-clad, majestic Kunlun,” and up close, a serene lake with clear, tranquil waters reflecting the landscape, resembling a green pearl nestled among barren hills. The scenic environment around the reservoir is beautiful, making it an ideal destination for summer retreats, cooling off, swimming, fishing, boating, and sightseeing. The site is close to the county town and enjoys convenient transportation, offering high tourism value.

　　The Uluwati Reservoir is located in the heart of the Kunlun Mountains. The dam is majestic, the reservoir holds a large volume of water, and the lake water is crystal clear. Year-round flowing water below the dam, together with the area’s soil and water conservation projects utilizing available water sources and greening measures, has effectively conserved water and soil, prevented wind erosion, fixed sand, purified the air, and regulated the microclimate—creating a beautiful landscape with a unique charm reminiscent of a “small Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall.” The Uluwati Water Control Project is a key project during the Ninth Five-Year Plan period of the Ministry of Water Resources. It is a happiness project that benefits the people of all ethnic groups in Hotan. In addition to greatly improving power generation, irrigation, and flood control in Hotan, it has also enhanced the ecological balance of the green corridor along the Hotan River basin. It plays a significant role in maintaining social stability, ethnic unity, boosting economic development in the Hotan region, and improving the living standards of local residents.

　　With the completion of the Uluwati Project, the area has developed into a comprehensive scenic destination integrating cultural landscapes and natural scenery. The unique features of the Kunlun Mountains, the spectacular engineering facilities, and the canyon reservoir have made this region one of the most striking highlights of tourism in the Hotan area. As spontaneous tourism continues to increase, in order to fully utilize the established tourism resources, the Xinjiang Hotan Kalong Tourism Development Co., Ltd. was jointly initiated and funded by the Uluwati Project Construction Administration and Hotan Yinhe Industrial Company. In 2004, Uluwati was designated as a Scenic Area and an Official Tourism Destination by the Autonomous Region Tourism Bureau. In November of the same year, it was rated as the first National AA-level Scenic Area in the Hotan region. Overview of the Scenic Area: Uluwati Scenic Area is located on the middle section of the Karakash River, a western tributary of the Hotan River in Xinjiang. The scenic area relies on the Uluwati Water Control Project, a valley river-blocking reservoir that serves as a large (Type II) water conservancy hub with comprehensive benefits including irrigation, power generation, flood control, ecological protection, and tourism. The main dam is 133 meters high at its peak, 10 meters wide at the crest, and 1,967 meters in elevation, making it the tallest of its kind currently built in China, ranking fourth in the world and second in Asia. The scenic area is located in the middle and upper reaches of the Moya River, one of the sources of Hotan jade, 71 kilometers from Hotan City (via secondary asphalt road). The reservoir covers a water area of 11.3 square kilometers, with a storage capacity of 347 million cubic meters and Grade I water quality. The hydropower plant has a total installed capacity of 60 megawatts, can improve irrigation for 1.13 million mu of land, largely prevents downstream flood disasters, and ensures the Hotan River’s mainstream supplies 1.057 billion cubic meters of water annually to the Tarim River, helping maintain the ecological balance and sustainability of the downstream green corridor.

　　The Uluwati Reservoir lies in the heart of the Kunlun Mountains. The dam is grand and imposing, with a massive water storage capacity and crystal-clear lake water. The flowing water beneath the dam never stops throughout the year. The reservoir's soil and water conservation initiatives use existing water sources and greening efforts to effectively conserve water and soil, prevent wind erosion, secure sand, purify the air, and regulate the local microclimate, creating a stunning landscape that exudes a unique charm akin to a “small Jiangnan beyond the frontier.” The Uluwati Water Control Project is a key initiative during the Ministry of Water Resources' Ninth Five-Year Plan, serving as a happiness project that benefits the people of all ethnicities in Hotan. In addition to significantly improving power generation, irrigation, and flood control in Hotan, it has also improved the ecological balance of the green corridor along the Hotan River basin. It plays a vital role in maintaining social stability, ethnic unity, promoting regional economic development in Hotan, and enhancing the living standards of the local population.

　　With the completion of the Uluwati Project, the area has evolved into a comprehensive destination that blends cultural and natural attractions. The unique landscape of the Kunlun Mountains, the spectacular engineering works, and the canyon reservoir have established this region as the most dazzling highlight in Hotan’s tourism industry. As the number of independent travelers continues to rise, to make full use of the developed tourism resources, the Xinjiang Hotan Kalong Tourism Development Co., Ltd. was jointly established with funding from the Uluwati Project Construction Administration and Hotan Yinhe Industrial Company. Additionally, in 2004, Uluwati was officially named a Scenic Area and a Designated Tourism Spot by the Autonomous Region Tourism Bureau. In November of the same year, it was rated as the first National AA-level Scenic Area in the Hotan region.

　　Current tourism resources and reception facilities include:

　　1. Engineering Landscapes: The majestic dam, Suolong Bridge, dam night views, spillways, Jade Dragon Dam Waterfall, power plant buildings, and plank walkways.

　　2. Cultural Landscapes: The Exotic Stones Museum, construction education photo gallery, garden district, leisure park, basin model, Kunlun Culture Wall, rockeries, and more.

　　3. Natural Landscapes: The Kunlun Little Three Gorges, Elephant Trunk Mountain, Strange Rocks Beach, Kunlun Eighteen Bends, Small Canyons, and Red Willow Beach.

　　4. Tourism Services: Sightseeing along the reservoir section of the Karakash River, source exploration of the Karakash River, rafting, swimming pools, fishing ponds, yachts, and more.

　　5. Four Mongolian yurts, one rural leisure resort, several individual restaurants, several small shops, three large and small yachts, one tour bus, one dance hall, one basketball court, one tennis court, one gym, and one small cinema.

　　6. Planned future projects: Suspension bridge over the sediment flushing tunnel, children’s play area, indoor swimming pool, go-kart track, and others.

　　The completion of the Uluwati Water Control Project has brought hope for poverty alleviation to Hotan, one of the poorest regions in Xinjiang. It holds great significance for maintaining stability, unity, and social harmony in the region, as well as for improving living standards. It is one of the most powerful measures to strengthen ethnic unity and stabilize the borderlands. Today, Uluwati is no longer quiet or silent. We have every reason to believe that this shining gem of hydroelectric power, “Uluwati,” will become as renowned worldwide as the peerless Hotan jade, celebrated far and wide.

　　Phone: 0903-2090055