Rewak Buddhist Monastery Ruins
Rewaq Buddhist Temple Ruins, located in Lop County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang, are the remnants of a Tang Dynasty (7th–10th century) monastic complex along the Southern Silk Road. First excavated in 1989, the site reveals mud-brick stupas, Sanskrit-inscribed murals, and artifacts highlighting the Silk Road’s religious and cultural exchanges. Reconstructed using traditional techniques, the ruins offer a rare glimpse into Xinjiang’s Buddhist past and its later coexistence with Islamic traditions.
Historical Overview
Founded during the Tang Dynasty, Rewaq served as a spiritual hub for Sogdian and Uyghur monks. It thrived as a trading post until the 14th-century Islamic conquest, after which it was abandoned. Rediscovered in 1989, excavations uncovered 15 stupas and over 100 square meters of murals. Restoration from 2000–2010 preserved its core structures, earning it designation as a "National Key Cultural Relic Protection Site" in 2012.
Structural Layout
The temple follows a traditional vihara (monastery) layout with three zones:
- Stupa Court: 15 clay stupas arranged in a semicircle, some with intact relic chambers.
- Murals Hall: A reconstructed chamber with frescoes of Bodhisattvas and Sanskrit sutras.
- Monastic Quarters: Mud-brick cells and a communal kitchen, recreated using ancient methods.
Key structures include the "Five Tathagata Stupa" and the "Sogdian Merchant’s Residence."
Major Attractions
- Five Tathagata Stupa: A 4-meter-tall stupa with niches containing jade Buddha statues.
- Sanskrit Murals: Wall paintings depicting the Heart Sutra and lotus motifs, dated to the 8th century.
- Sogdian Residence: A reconstructed merchant’s home with fireplaces and storage jars.
- Uyghur Cultural Display: Traditional musical instruments and manuscripts from the 10th–12th centuries.
- Meditation Caves: Replicated cells for visitors to experience monastic life.
Suggested Itineraries
-
Classic Route (1–2 hours):
Main Entrance → Stupa Court → Murals Hall → Monastic Quarters → Gift Shop
Highlights: Stupas, murals, and Sogdian artifacts. -
Cultural Deep Dive (3 hours):
Guided tour of the ruins → Participate in a calligraphy workshop (Sanskrit/Uyghur scripts) → Visit the nearby Lop Nur Museum. -
Desert Adventure (Full Day):
Morning: Explore the ruins and attend a monk-led meditation session.
Afternoon: Camel trek to the Taklamakan Desert dunes.
Evening: Stargazing at the ruins’ desert observation deck.
Ticket Purchase
- Admission: Free entry; guided tours ¥50 (adults), ¥25 (students).
- Online Booking: Not required; tickets available at the entrance.
- Permits: None required for daily visits.
Transportation
- By Car: 2-hour drive from Hotan City via G315; parking ¥5/day.
- By Bus: Take Bus 5 from Hotan to Lop County (¥20, 1.5 hours), then taxi to the ruins (¥15).
- By Taxi: Direct ride from Hotan Airport (50 minutes, ¥80–100).
Best Time & Tips
- Optimal Season: April–October (mild temperatures; avoid July–August heat).
- Essentials:
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses).
- Comfortable shoes for desert terrain.
- Cash for the gift shop (no card payments).
- Cultural Sensitivity: Remove shoes before entering murals hall; dress modestly.
- Prohibited Items: Flash photography in murals hall, drones.
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Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
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Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories.
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America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic!
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For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return.
A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s):
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May 08,2025
