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UN@80: Protection and inheritance – Cultural memory of Yotkan Ancient City

Ouyang Qianxi

 , Updated 11:22, 13-Aug-2025
The gate of Yotkan Ancient City in Hotan glows under warm lights, exuding timeless charm and reflecting the historic style of the Western Regions.
The gate of Yotkan Ancient City in Hotan glows under warm lights, exuding timeless charm and reflecting the historic style of the Western Regions.

The gate of Yotkan Ancient City in Hotan glows under warm lights, exuding timeless charm and reflecting the historic style of the Western Regions.

With its red walls and arched gates, Yotkan Ancient City holds the memories of the Silk Road, brimming with human vitality.
With its red walls and arched gates, Yotkan Ancient City holds the memories of the Silk Road, brimming with human vitality.

With its red walls and arched gates, Yotkan Ancient City holds the memories of the Silk Road, brimming with human vitality.

Red walls, green trees, and a stupa form a unique tableau where history blends seamlessly with nature in Yotkan Ancient City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Red walls, green trees, and a stupa form a unique tableau where history blends seamlessly with nature in Yotkan Ancient City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Red walls, green trees, and a stupa form a unique tableau where history blends seamlessly with nature in Yotkan Ancient City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Ancient buildings, colorful tapestries, and bustling stalls fill the streets of Yotkan Ancient City with the vibrant spirit of the Western Regions.
Ancient buildings, colorful tapestries, and bustling stalls fill the streets of Yotkan Ancient City with the vibrant spirit of the Western Regions.

Ancient buildings, colorful tapestries, and bustling stalls fill the streets of Yotkan Ancient City with the vibrant spirit of the Western Regions.

On the stage of Yotkan Ancient City, ethnic artists perform traditional music, radiating cultural charm.
On the stage of Yotkan Ancient City, ethnic artists perform traditional music, radiating cultural charm.

On the stage of Yotkan Ancient City, ethnic artists perform traditional music, radiating cultural charm.

Ethnic costumes adorn the scenes of Yotkan Ancient City, each stitch and thread carrying the legacy of tradition.
Ethnic costumes adorn the scenes of Yotkan Ancient City, each stitch and thread carrying the legacy of tradition.

Ethnic costumes adorn the scenes of Yotkan Ancient City, each stitch and thread carrying the legacy of tradition.

A real-life performance at Yotkan Ancient City brings to life the historical chapters of the Silk Road.
A real-life performance at Yotkan Ancient City brings to life the historical chapters of the Silk Road.

A real-life performance at Yotkan Ancient City brings to life the historical chapters of the Silk Road.

In a Yotkan Ancient City performance, a giant camel becomes a living symbol of the Silk Road, illuminated in light and shadow.
In a Yotkan Ancient City performance, a giant camel becomes a living symbol of the Silk Road, illuminated in light and shadow.

In a Yotkan Ancient City performance, a giant camel becomes a living symbol of the Silk Road, illuminated in light and shadow.

Actors in splendid ethnic costumes revive the passion and romance of the Silk Road through dazzling dances at Yotkan Ancient City,  northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Actors in splendid ethnic costumes revive the passion and romance of the Silk Road through dazzling dances at Yotkan Ancient City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Actors in splendid ethnic costumes revive the passion and romance of the Silk Road through dazzling dances at Yotkan Ancient City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Editor's note: This is an article by Ouyang Qianxi, a journalist reporting from Yotkan Ancient City in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is part of "One Home: Shared Future," a global youth campaign launched by CGTN to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. The campaign invites young people from around the world to share stories, photos, and videos featuring issues they believe must shape the planet's future.

Cultural heritage is the shared memory and spiritual bond of humanity, and its protection and inheritance are key missions advocated by the United Nations. As shown in local historical records, Yutian Ancient Kingdom was one of the 36 kingdoms of the Western Regions more than 2,000 years ago. Its capital was named Yotkan, meaning "king," which is why Yotkan Ancient City is also known as the "City of the King." To show its glorious history, Bageqi Town in Hotan County built Yotkan Ancient City.

Much history is contained in a millennium. Yotkan Ancient City, set against the backdrop of folk culture and historical relics, is now using a combination of historical facts and vivid storytelling to present the charm of this thousand-year-old city.

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