Andir Ruins

　　Introduction       The ancient city of Andir is a national key cultural relics protection unit. It is located in the hinterland of the desert, about 27 kilometers southeast of the Andir Farm in Minfeng County, Hotan, and to the southeast of the lower reaches of the Andir River. The ruins of the ancient city of Andir consist of a stupa and temple complex. It was initially built during the Han Dynasty and gradually abandoned around the 11th century AD.

　　      The ancient city of Andir is an important heritage site from the Han and Tang dynasties along the southern route of the Silk Road. In the early 20th century, foreign explorer Stein looted a large number of Tibetan, Brahmi, and Chinese manuscripts, as well as a collection of exquisite artifacts. The ruins of the ancient city currently include a circular city wall, Buddhist temples, stupas, and a cemetery. From the middle to late Tang Dynasty, the site was gradually abandoned due to the reduced flow of the Andir River.

　　 Hotan, Xinjiang