Yimanu Asimu Mazar

　　Introduc­tion        Yimanu Asimu Mazar is located 9.5 kilometers northeast of Jiya Township Government, on the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. There are currently two tombs, which are said to be the burial sites of brothers Yimanu Asimu and Yimanu Ashimu.

　　Yimanu Asimu Mazar has a history of over a thousand years, and the existing ancient tombs are situated among sand dunes. It is recorded that about 900 years ago, Yimamu Asimu came to this area to provide support and engaged in battle with the army of Sangsivili of the ancient Kingdom of Khotan, where he died. His followers built a shrine and tomb in his honor, hence the name Yimamu Asimu Tomb. It later became a sacred site for Muslims. In 1938, with donations from Muslim believers, a mosque was constructed on the sand dune southeast of the mazar, measuring 30 meters in length and 15 meters in width, along with two guard rooms. A well was also dug 50 meters northwest of the mazar. In 1958, the mosque was demolished as part of efforts to reform customs.

　　Every year from April to May, believers from Kashgar, Aksu, and Hotan in Xinjiang travel long distances to gather here for worship, with numbers reaching up to 5,000 to over 10,000, forming a grand gathering. Yimanu Asimu Mazar is a key cultural relic protection unit of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

　　 Hotan, Xinjiang