View source for Yarkant County

{{Redirect|Yarkand|other meanings|Yarkand (disambiguation)}}
{{Over-quotation|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Yarkant County
| native_name        = {{native name list |tag1=ug |name1=يەكەن ناھىيىسى |tag2=zh-hans |name2=莎车县}}
| other_name         = Yarkand, Yakan, Shache
| settlement_type    = County
| image_map          = Location of Yarkand within Xinjiang (China).png
| map_caption        = Yarkant County (red) within Kashgar Prefecture (yellow) and Xinjiang
| image_skyline      = Yarkand-calles-d01.jpg
| image_caption      = A street in Yarkant
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = China
| subdivision_type1  = Region
| subdivision_name1  = [[Xinjiang]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Prefectures of China|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Kashgar Prefecture|Kashgar]]
| seat_type          = County seat
| seat               = [[Yakan Town|Yakan]]
| area_total_km2     = 8969
| population_total   = 860,800
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_footnotes = <ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/china/xinjiang/admin/ Xinjiang: Prefectures, Cities, Districts and Counties]</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_urban_km2 = auto
| demographics_type2 = [[List of ethnic groups in China|Ethnic groups]]
| demographics2_title1 = Major ethnic groups
| demographics2_info1 = [[Uyghurs|Uyghur]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xzqh.org/html/show/xj/21312.html|script-title=zh:1997年莎车县行政区划|date=19 November 2010|access-date=27 February 2020|website=XZQH.org|quote={{lang|zh-hans|面积12平方千米，人口3.8万，其中维吾尔族占93.2％，}}}}</ref>
| pushpin_map        = China Xinjiang#China
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| pushpin_label      = Yarkant
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of the seat in Xinjiang
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal code of China|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 844700
| coor_pinpoint      = County government
| coordinates        = {{coord|38.3909|N|77.2232|E|format=dms|type:adm3rd_region:CN-65_source:Gaode|display=it}}
| elevation_m        = 1232
| timezone           = [[China Standard Time|China Standard]]{{efn|Locals in Xinjiang frequently observe [[UTC+6]] ([[Xinjiang Time]]), 2 hours behind Beijing.}}
| utc_offset         = +8
| website            = {{URL|http://www.shache.gov.cn/}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| pic = Street scene in Yarkand in the 1870s.jpg
| picsize = 
| piccap = Street scene in Yarkand in the 1870s
| uig = يەكەن (ياركەنت) ناھىيىسى
| uly = Yeken (Yarkent) Nahiyisi
| uyy = Yəkən (Yarkənt) Naⱨiyisi
| sgs = Yäkän (Yarkänt) Nahiyisi
| usy = Йәкән (яркәнт) наһийиси
| lu = cliff city<ref name="Yārkand">P. Lurje, "[http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/yarkand Yārkand]", Encyclopædia Iranica, online edition</ref>
| title = Yarkant (Shache) County
| ibox-order = ug, zh
| s = {{linktext|莎车|县}}
| t = {{linktext|莎車|縣}}
| w = Sha¹-chʻê¹ Hsien⁴
| p = Shāchē Xiàn
| s2 = {{linktext|叶尔羌|县}}
| t2 = {{linktext|葉爾羌|縣}}
| p2 = Yè'ěrqiāng Xiàn
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|sh|a|1|ch|e|1|-|x|ian|4}}
| order = st
}}

'''Yarkant County''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/world/asia/mass-assault-belatedly-reported-in-chinas-far-west.html|title=China's Account of Bloodshed in Far West Is Disputed|author=Andrew Jacobs|date=29 July 2014|access-date=28 February 2020|website=[[New York Times]]|quote=According to Xinhua, it began at a government building in Yarkant County and spread to surrounding streets, where assailants attacked passers-by and set cars on fire.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com//english/2017-01/20/c_136000375.htm|title=4.8-magnitude quake jolts Xinjiang: CENC|date=20 January 2017|access-date=28 February 2020|website=[[Xinhua News Agency]]|editor=An|quote=A 4.8-magnitude earthquake hits Yarkant County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at 5:54 p.m. Friday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).}}</ref><ref name="GNISyarkant">{{GEOnet2|32FA8826B3AB3774E0440003BA962ED3|Yarkant Xian (Variant - V)}}, [[National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency|United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency]]</ref> also known as '''Yakan County''' or '''Shache County''',<ref name="GNISyarkant2">{{GEOnet2|DB9879BEBB3DD00EE040D6A411F76A0A|Shache   (Approved - N)}}, [[National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency|United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency]]</ref> is a county in the [[Xinjiang]], China, located on the southern rim of the [[Taklamakan Desert]] in the [[Tarim Basin]]. It is one of 11 counties administered under [[Kashgar Prefecture]]. The county, usually referred to as '''Yarkand'''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/18/world/asia/china-uighurs-xinjiang-yarkand.html|title=Battered but Resilient After China's Crackdown|date=18 January 2020|access-date=7 April 2020|newspaper=[[New York Times]] |author=Chris Buckly |author2=Steven Lee Myers |quote=An ancient Muslim town, Yarkand is a cultural cradle for the Uighurs, who have experienced mass detentions.}}</ref> in [[English language|English]], was the seat of an ancient [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] kingdom on the southern branch of the [[Silk Road]] and the [[Yarkand Khanate]]. The county sits at an altitude of {{convert|1189|m|ft|}} and {{as of|2003|lc=y}} had a population of {{formatnum:373492}}.

The fertile [[oasis]] is fed by the [[Yarkand River]], which flows north down from the [[Karakorum Mountains|Karakorum mountains]] and passes through the [[Kunlun Mountains]], known historically as the [[Congling]] mountains (lit. 'Onion Mountains' - from the abundance of [[wild onion]]s found there). The oasis now covers {{convert|3210|km2|sqmi}}, but was likely far more extensive before a period of [[desiccation]] affected the region from the 3rd century CE onwards.

Today, Yarkant is a predominantly [[Uyghurs|Uyghur]] settlement with a small [[Tajiks in China|Tajik]] ([[Pamiris|Pamiri]]) minority. The irrigated oasis [[Agricultural land|farmland]] produces [[cotton]], [[wheat]], [[maize|corn]], [[fruit]]s (especially [[pomegranates]], [[pear]]s and [[apricots]]) and [[walnut]]s. [[Yak]] and [[sheep]] graze in the [[highland]]s. Mineral deposits include [[petroleum]], [[natural gas]], [[gold]], [[copper]], [[lead]], [[bauxite]], [[granite]] and [[coal]].

[[Image:Tarimrivermap.png|260px|thumb|Map showing the rivers of the [[Tarim Basin]] and [[Yarkand River]]]]

==History==

===Han dynasty===
The territory of Yārkand is first mentioned in the ''[[Book of Han]]'' (1st century BCE) as "Shaju" (Old Chinese, approximately, *s³a(j)-ka), which is probably related to the name of the Iranian [[Saka]] tribes.<ref name="Yārkand"/>
Descriptions in the ''[[Book of the Later Han|Hou Hanshu]]'' ('History of the Later Han') contain insights into the complex political situation China faced in attempting to open up the "[[Silk Routes]]" to the West in the 1st century CE. According to the  "Chapter on the [[Western Regions]]" in the ''[[Book of the Later Han|Hou Hanshu]]'':

:"Going west from the kingdom of Suoju (Yarkand), and passing through the countries of Puli ([[Tashkurgan Town|Tashkurghan]]) and Wulei (centred on Sarhad in the [[Wakhan]]), you arrive among the [[Da Yuezhi]] ([[Kushans]]). To the east, it is 10,950 li (4,553 km) from [[Luoyang]].

:The [[Khan (title)|Chanyu]] (Khan) of the [[Xiongnu]] took advantage of the chaos caused by [[Wang Mang]] (9-24 CE) and invaded the Western Regions. Only Yan, the king of Suoju, who was more powerful than the others, did not consent to being annexed. Previously, during the time of [[Emperor Yuan of Han|Emperor Yuan]] (48-33 BCE), he was a hostage prince and grew up in the capital. He admired and loved the [[Middle Kingdom (China)|Middle Kingdom]] and extended the rules of Chinese administration to his own country. He ordered all his sons to respectfully serve the Han dynasty generation by generation, and to never turn their backs on it. Yan died in the fifth Tianfeng year (18 CE). He was awarded the posthumous title of 'Faithful and Martial King'. His son, Kang, succeeded him on the throne.

:At the beginning of Emperor [[Guangwu]]'s reign (25-57 CE), Kang led the neighboring kingdoms to resist the [[Xiongnu]]. He escorted, and protected, more than a thousand people including the officers, the soldiers, the wife and children of the former Protector General. He sent a letter to [[Hexi Corridor|Hexi]] (Chinese territory west of the [[Yellow River]]) to inquire about the activities of the Middle Kingdom, and personally expressed his attachment to, and admiration for, the Han dynasty.

:In the fifth Jianwu year (29 CE) the General-in-Chief of Hexi, Dou Rong, following Imperial instructions, bestowed on Kang the titles of: "King of Chinese Suoju, Performer of Heroic Deeds Who Cherishes Virtue [and] Commandant-in-Chief of the Western Regions." The fifty-five kingdoms were all made dependencies after that.

:In the ninth year (33 CE) Kang died. He was awarded the [[wikt:Special:Search/posthumous|posthumous]] title of "Greatly Accomplished King." His younger brother, [[Wulei|Xian]], succeeded him on the throne. Xian attacked and conquered the kingdoms of Jumi (Keriya) and Xiye ([[Kargilik Town|Karghalik]]). He killed both their kings, and installed two sons of his elder brother, Kang, as the kings of Jumi and Xiye.

:In the fourteenth year (38 CE), together with An, the king of [[Shanshan]] (the [[Lop Nor]] region), he sent envoys to the Imperial Palace to offer tribute. Following this, the Western Regions were (again) in communication with China. All the kingdoms to the east of the [[Congling]] (Pamirs) were dependent on Xian.

:In the seventeenth year (41 CE), Xian again sent an envoy to present offerings [to the Emperor], and to ask that a Protector General be appointed. The Son of Heaven questioned the Excellency of Works, Dou Rong, about this. He was of the opinion that Xian, and his sons and brothers who had pledged to serve the Han were truly sincere. Therefore, [he suggested that] it would be appropriate to give him higher rank to maintain order and security.

[[File:Zhigongtu (Yarkand).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Yarkand ambassador at the Chinese court of [[Emperor Yuan of Liang]] in his capital [[Jingzhou]] in 516–520 CE, with explanatory text. ''[[Portraits of Periodical Offering of Liang]]'', 11th century Song copy.]]
:The Emperor then, using the same envoy that Xian had sent to him, bestowed upon him the seal and ribbon of "Protector General of the Western Regions," and gave him chariots, standards, gold, brocades and embroideries.

"Pei Zun, the Administrator of [[Dunhuang]], wrote saying that foreigners should not be allowed to employ such great authority and that these decrees would cause the kingdoms to despair. An Imperial decree then ordered that the seal and ribbons of "Protector General" be recovered, and replaced with the seal and ribbon of "Great Han General." Xian's envoy refused to make the exchange, and (Pei) Zun took them by force.

:Consequently, Xian became resentful. Furthermore, he falsely named himself "Great Protector General," and sent letters to all the kingdoms. They all submitted to him, and bestowed the title of [[Chanyu]] on him. Xian gradually became arrogant making heavy demands for duties and taxes. Several times he attacked Qiuci ([[Kucha]]) and the other kingdoms. All the kingdoms were anxious and fearful.

:In the winter of the twenty-first year (45 CE), eighteen kings, including the king of Nearer Jushi ([[Turpan]]), [[Shanshan]], Yanqi ([[Karashahr]]), and others, sent their sons to enter the service of the Emperor and offered treasure. As a result, they were granted audience when they circulated weeping, prostrating with their foreheads to the ground, in the hope of obtaining a Protector General. The Son of Heaven, considering that the Middle Kingdom was just beginning to return to peace and that the northern frontier regions were still unsettled, returned all the hostage princes with generous gifts.

:At the same time, Xian, infatuated with his military power, wanted to annex the Western Regions, and greatly increased his attacks. The kingdoms, informed that no Protector General would be sent, and that the hostage princes were all returning, were very worried and frightened. Therefore, they sent a letter to the Administrator of Dunhuang to ask him to detain their hostage sons with him, so that they could point this out to the [king of] Suoju (Yarkand), and tell him that their young hostage sons were detained because a Protector General was to be sent. Then he [the king of Yarkand] would stop his hostilities. Pei Zun sent an official report informing the Emperor [of this proposal], which he approved.

:In the twenty-second year (46 CE) Xian, aware that no Protector General was coming, sent a letter to An, king of Shanshan, ordering him to cut the route to the Han. An did not accept [this order], and killed the envoy. Xian was furious and sent soldiers to attack Shanshan. An gave battle but was defeated and fled into the mountains. Xian killed or captured more than a thousand men, and then withdrew.

[[File:周古柯 Zhouguke Yarkand in Wanghuitu, circa 650 CE.jpg|upright|thumb|Yarkand (周古柯 ''Zhouguke'') in [[Wanghuitu]], circa 650 CE]]
:That winter (46 CE), Xian returned and attacked Qiuci (Kucha), killed the king, and annexed the kingdom. The hostage princes of Shanshan, and then Yanqi (Karashahr) and the other kingdoms, were detained a long time at Dunhuang and became worried, so they fled and returned [to their kingdoms].

:The king of Shanshan wrote a letter to the Emperor expressing his desire to return his son to enter the service of the Emperor, and again pleaded for a Protector General, saying that if a Protector General were not sent, he would be forced to obey the Xiongnu. The [[Emperor of China|Son of Heaven]] replied:

::"We are not able, at the moment, to send out envoys and Imperial troops so, in spite of their good wishes, each kingdom [should seek help], as they please, wherever they can, to the east, west, south, or north."

:Following this, Shanshan, and Jushi ([[Turpan]]/[[Jimasa]]) again submitted to the Xiongnu. Meanwhile, Xian became increasingly violent.

:The king of Guisai, reckoning that his kingdom was far enough away, killed Xian's envoy. Xian then attacked and killed him. He appointed a nobleman from that country, Sijian, king of Guisai. Furthermore, Xian appointed his own son, Zeluo, to be king of Qiuci (Kucha). Xian, taking account of the youth of Zeluo, detached a part of the territory from Qiuci (Kucha) from which he made the kingdom of Wulei (Yengisar). He transferred Sijian to the post of king of Wulei, and appointed another noble to the post of king of Guisai.

:Several years later, the people of the kingdom of Qiuci (Kucha), killed Zeluo and Sijian, and sent envoys to the Xiongnu to ask them to appoint a king to replace them. The Xiongnu established a nobleman of Qiuci (Kucha), Shendu, to be king of Qiuci (Kucha), making it dependent on the Xiongnu.

:Because Dayuan ([[Ferghana]]) had reduced their tribute and taxes, Xian personally took command of several tens of thousands of men taken from several kingdoms, and attacked Dayuan (Ferghana). Yanliu, the king of Dayuan, came before him to submit. Xian took advantage of this to take him back to his own kingdom. Then he transferred Qiaosaiti, the king of Jumi (Keriya), to the post of king of Dayuan (Ferghana). Then [[Kangju]] (Tashkent plus the Chu, Talas, and middle Jaxartes basins) attacked him there several times and Qiaosaiti fled home [to Keriya] more than a year later. Xian appointed him king of Jumi (Keriya) and sent Yanliu back to Dayuan again, ordering him to bring the customary tribute and offerings.

:Xian also banished the king of Yutian ([[Khotan]]), Yulin, to be king of Ligui and set up his younger brother, Weishi, as king of Yutian.

:More than a year later Xian became suspicious that the kingdoms wanted to rebel against him. He summoned Weishi, and the kings of Jumi (Keriya), Gumo (Aksu), and Zihe (Shahidulla), and killed them all. He did not set up any more kings, he just sent generals to maintain order and guard these kingdoms. Rong, the son of Weishi, fled and made submission to the Han, who named him: "Marquis Who Maintains Virtue." A general from Suoju (Yarkand), named Junde, had been posted to Yutian (Khotan), and tyrannised the people there who became indignant.

[[File:Joppen 1907 India in the 2nd Century A.D.jpg|left|thumb|[[Kanishka]]'s Empire (2nd century AD) including Yarkand]]
:In the third Yongping year (60 CE), during the reign of Emperor Ming, a high official of this country, called Dumo, had left town when he saw a wild pig. He wanted to shoot it, but the pig said to him: "Do not shoot me, I will undertake to kill Junde for you." Following this, Dumo plotted with his brothers and killed Junde. However, another high official, Xiumo Ba, plotted, in his turn, with a Chinese man, Han Rong, and others, to kill Dumo and his brothers, then he named himself king of Yutian (Khotan). Together with men from the kingdom of Jumi (Keriya), he attacked and killed the Suoju (Yarkand) general who was at Pishan (modern Pishan or Guma). He then returned with the soldiers.

:Then Xian sent his Heir Apparent, and his State Chancellor, leading 20,000 soldiers from several kingdoms, to attack Xiumo Ba. [Xiumo] Ba came to meet them and gave battle, defeating the soldiers of Suoju (Yarkand) who fled, and more than 10,000 of them were killed.

:Xian again fielded several tens of thousands of men from several kingdoms, and personally led them to attack Xiumo Ba. [Xiumo] Ba was again victorious and beheaded more than half of the enemy. Xian escaped and fled, returning to his kingdom. Xiumo Ba advanced and encircled Suoju (Yarkand), but he was hit and killed by an arrow, and his soldiers retreated to Yutian (Khotan).

:Suyule, State Chancellor [of Khotan], and others, appointed [[Guangde]], the son of Xiumo Ba's elder brother, king. The [[Xiongnu]], with Qiuci (Kucha) and the other kingdoms, attacked Suoju (Yarkand), but were unable to take it.

:Later, Guangde recognising of the exhaustion of Suoju (Yarkand), sent his younger brother, the Marquis who Supports the State, Ren, commanding an army, to attack Xian. As he had suffered war continuously, Xian sent an envoy to make peace with Guangde. Guangde's father had previously been detained for several years in Suoju (Yarkand). Xian returned Guangde's father and also gave one of his daughters in marriage and swore brotherhood to Guangde, so the soldiers withdrew and left.

:In the following year (61 CE), [[Qieyun]], the Chancellor of Suoju (Yarkand), and others, worried by Xian's arrogance, plotted to get the town to submit to Yutian (Khotan). Guangde, the king of Yutian (Khotan), then led 30,000 men from several kingdoms to attack Suoju (Yarkand). Xian stayed in the town to defend it and sent a messenger to say to Guangde: "I have given you your father and a wife. Why are you attacking me?" Guangde replied to him: "O king, you are the father of my wife. It has been a long time since we met. I want us to meet, each of us escorted by only two men, outside the town wall to make an alliance."

:Xian consulted Qieyun about this. Qieyun said to him: "Guangde, your son-in-law is a very close relation; you should go out to see him." Xian then rashly went out. Guangde advanced and captured him. In addition, Qieyun and his colleagues let the soldiers of Yutian (Khotan) into the town to capture Xian's wife and children. (Guangde) annexed his kingdom. He put Xian in chains, and took him home with him. More than a year later, he killed him.

:When the Xiongnu heard that Guangde had defeated Suoju (Yarkand), they sent five generals leading more than 30,000 men from fifteen kingdoms including Yanqi (Karashahr), Weili (Korla), and Qiuci (Kucha), to besiege Yutian (Khotan). Guangde asked to submit. He sent his Heir Apparent as a hostage and promised to give felt carpets each year. In winter, the Xiongnu ordered soldiers to take Xian's son, Bujuzheng, who was a hostage with them, to appoint him king of Suoju (Yarkand).

:Guangde then attacked and killed [Bujuzheng], and put his younger brother, Qili, on the throne. This was in the third Yuanhe year (86 CE) of Emperor Zhang.

:At this time Chief Clerk Ban Chao brought the troops of several kingdoms to attack Suoju (Yarkand). He soundly defeated Suoju (Yarkand) so it submitted to Han."<ref>Hill (2015) Vol. I, pp. 39, 41.</ref>

In 90 CE the Yuezhi or Kushans invaded the region with an army of reportedly 70,000 men, under their Viceroy, Xian, but they were forced to withdraw without a battle after Ban Chao instigated a "burnt earth" policy.<ref>Chavannes, Édouard (1906). "Trois généraux Chinois de la dynastie des Han Orientaux." ''T'oung pao'' 7, pp. 232-233.</ref>

After the Yuanchu period (114-120 CE), when the [[Yuezhi]] or Kushans placed a hostage prince on the throne of Kashgar:

:"...&nbsp;Suoju [Yarkand] followed by resisting Yutian [Khotan], and put themselves under Shule [Kashgar]. Thus Shule [Kashgar], became powerful and a rival to Qiuci [Kucha] and Yutian [Khotan]."<ref>Hill (2015) Vol. I, p. 43.</ref>

:"In the second Yongjian year [127 CE] of the reign of Emperor Shun, [Ban] Yong once again attacked and subdued Yanqi [Karashahr]; and then Qiuci [Kucha], Shule [Kashgar], Yutian [Khotan], Suoju [Yarkand], and other kingdoms, seventeen altogether, came to submit. Following this, the Wusun [Ili River Basin and Issyk Kul], and the countries of the Congling [Pamir Mountains], put an end to their disruptions to communications with the west."<ref>Hill (2015), Vol. I, p. 11.</ref>

In 130 CE, Yarkand, along with [[Ferghana]] and [[Kashgar]], sent tribute and offerings to the Chinese Emperor.<ref>Hill (2015) Vol. I, pp. 180-181.</ref>

===Later history===
[[Image:Yakka-Arik Towers.jpg|thumb|The towers in Yakka-Arik]]

There is very little information on Yarkant's history for many centuries, apart from a couple of brief references in [[Tang dynasty]] (618-907) histories and it appears to have been of less note than the oasis of Kharghalik (see [[Kargilik Town|Yecheng]] and [[Yecheng County]]) to its south.<ref>Stein, Aurel M. 1907. ''Ancient Khotan: Detailed report of archaeological explorations in Chinese Turkestan'', 2 vols., p. 87. Clarendon Press. Oxford. [https://dsr.nii.ac.jp/toyobunko/]</ref>

The area became the main base in the region for [[Chagatai Khan]] (died 1241), who inherited [[Kashgaria]] (and also much of the land between the [[Oxus]] (Amu Darya) and [[Jaxartes]] (Syr Darya) rivers) after his father, [[Genghis Khan]], died in 1227.

[[Marco Polo]] described Yarkant in 1273, but said only that this "province" (of [[Kublai Khan]]'s nephew, [[Kaidu]], d. 1301) was, "five days' journey in extent. The inhabitants follow the law of [[Mohammed|Mahomet]], and there are also some [[Nestorian Christians]]. They are subject to the Great Khan's nephew.  It is amply stocked with the means of life, especially cotton."<ref>''The Travels of Marco Polo''. Translated by [[Ronald Latham]]. Abaris Books, New York (1982), p. 66. {{ISBN|0-89835-058-1}}</ref>

At the end of the 16th century Yarkant was incorporated into the Khanate of Kashgar and became its capital. The Jesuit [[Benedict Göez]], who sought a route from the [[Mughal Empire]] to [[Cathay]] (which, according to his superiors, may or may not have been the same place as China), arrived in Yarkant with a caravan from [[Kabul]] in late 1603. He remained there for about a year, making a short trip to [[Khotan]] during that time. He reported:

:"Hiarchan [Yarkant], the capital of the kingdom of [[Kashgar|Cascar]], is a mart of much note, both for the great concourse of merchants, and for the variety of wares. At this capital the caravan of [[Kabul]] merchants reaches its terminus; and a new one is formed for the journey to [[Cathay]]. The command of this caravan is sold by the king, who invests the chiefs with a kind of royal authority over the merchants for the whole journey. A twelvemonth passed away however before the new company was formed, for the way is long and perilous, and the caravan is not formed every year, but only when a large number arrange to join it, and when it is known that they will be allowed to enter Cathay."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060207162814/http://depts.washington.edu/uwch/silkroad/texts/goes.html] (From: The Travels of Benedict Göez)</ref>

During his journey, Göez also noted the presence of large marble quarries in the area, leading him to write that amongst native travellers from Yarkant to Cathay:
:"no article of traffic is more valuable or more generally adopted as an investment for this journey than lumps of a certain transparent kind of marble called by the Chinese "jusce" ([[jade]]). They carry these to the [[Emperor of China|Emperor of Cathay]], attracted by the high prices which he deems it obligatory on his dignity to give ; and such pieces as the Emperor does not fancy they are free to dispose of to private individuals."<ref>{{cite news |title=Eastern Turkestan|work=[[Pall Mall Gazette]] |date=8 June 1871 |access-date=8 August 2014 |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000098/18710608/013/0010| publisher = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

===Yarkent Khanate===
[[File:Yarkand-tumbas-reyes-d06.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Tombs of Yarkand Khans (near the [[Altyn Mosque]])]]

Yarkent served as capital for the [[Yarkent Khanate]], also known as ''Yarkent State'', from the establishment of Yarkent Khanate to its fall (1514–1713).

The Khanate was predominantly Uyghur/Turki; some of its most populated cities were Hotan, Yarkent, Kashgar, Yangihissar, Aksu, Uchturpan, Kucha, Karashar, Turpan and Kumul. It enjoyed continued dominance in the region for about 200 years until it was conquered by the Dzungar Khan, Tsewang Rabtan in 1705.

In the first half of the 14th century the Chagatai Khanate had collapsed; on the western part of the collapsed Chagatai Khanate, the Empire of Timur emerged in 1370, and became the dominant power in the region until its conquest in 1508 by the Shaybanids. Its eastern part became Moghulistan, which was created by Tughluk Timur Khan in 1347 with the capital centered in Almalik, around the Ili River Valley. It comprised all the settled lands of Eastern Kashgaria, as well as regions of Turpan and Kumul which were known at the time as Uyghurstan, according to Balkh and Indian sources of the 16th and 17th centuries. The reigning dynasty of the Yarkent Khanate originated from this state, which existed for more than a century.

In 1509 the Dughlats, vassal rulers of the Tarim basin, rebelled against the Moghulistan Khanate and broke away. Five years later Sultan Said Khan, a brother of the Khan of Moghulistan in Turfan, conquered the Dughlats but established his own Yarkent khanate instead.

This put an end to the dominance in the cities of Kashgaria of the Dughlat emirs, who had controlled them since 1220, when most of Kashgaria had been granted to the Dughlat by Chagatai Khan himself. The conquest of the Dughlats allowed the Yarkent state to become the foremost power in the region.

===Qing dynasty===
[[File:Battle of Tonguzluq.jpg|thumb|left|During the [[Revolt of the Altishahr Khojas]] at the Battle of Tonguzluq (1758), [[Manchu]] general Zhao Hui tries to take Yarkand but is defeated.]]
[[File:Xinjiang 1759 - 15.jpg|thumb|Yarkand (c. 1759)]]
[[Image:Approach to Yarkand, 1868.jpg|thumb|Yarkand, 1868, showing city walls and gallows]]

The [[Qing dynasty]] gained control of the region in the middle of the 18th century.

By the 19th century, due to its active trade with [[Ladakh]], and an influx of foreign merchants, it became "the largest and most populous of all the States of Káshghar."([[Kashgar]]).<ref>Forsyth (1875), p. 34.</ref> [[Yakub Beg of Yettishar|Yakub Beg]] (1820–1877) conquered [[Khotan]], [[Aksu, Xinjiang|Aksu]], [[Kashgar]], and neighbouring towns with the help of the [[Russian People|Russians]] in the 1860s. He made Yarkant the capital of the newly founded [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] state of [[Yettishar]], where he received embassies from [[England]] in 1870 and 1873. The Qing dynasty defeated Yakub at [[Turpan]] in 1877 after which he committed suicide. Thus ended the Yettishar kingdom, and the region returned to Qing Chinese control.<ref name=Ildikó2008/>

<gallery>
File:万国来朝图 Yarkent delegates (葉爾奇木) in Peking in 1761.jpg|Yarkent delegates (葉爾奇木) in Peking in 1761. (''[[万国来朝图]]'')
File:Yarkand official.JPG|Yarkand official, 1870s
File:Yarkand Governor's Guard.jpg|Andijani Taifurghis of the Yarkand Governor's Guard, 1870s
</gallery>

Chinese merchants and soldiers, foreigners like Russians, foreign Muslims, and other Turki merchants all engaged in [[Nikah mut'ah|temporary marriages]] with Turki (Uyghur) women, since a lot of foreigners lived in Yarkand, temporary marriage flourished there more than it did towards areas with fewer foreigners like areas towards Kucha's east.<ref name=Ildikó2008>{{cite book|author=Ildikó Bellér-Hann|title=Community Matters in Xinjiang, 1880-1949: Towards a Historical Anthropology of the Uyghur|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cF4lMj8skvoC&pg=PA267|year=2008|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-16675-2|pages=267–}}</ref> The [[Earl of Dunmore]] wrote in 1894:

<blockquote>''Almost every Chinaman in Yarkand, soldier or civilian, takes unto himself a temporary wife, dispensing entirely with the services of the clergy, as being superfluous, and most of the high officials also give way to the same amiable weakness, their mistresses being in almost all cases natives of Khotan, which city enjoys the unenviable distinction of supplying every large city in Turkestan with courtesans.''

''When a Chinaman is called back to his own home in China proper, or a Chinese soldier has served his time in Turkestan and has to return to his native city of Pekin or Shanghai, he either leaves his temporary wife behind to shift for herself, or he sells her to a friend. If he has a family he takes the boys with him~—if he can afford it—failing that, the sons are left alone and unprotected to fight the battle of life, While in the case of daughters, he sells them to one of his former companions for a trifling sum.''

''The natives, although all Mahammadans, have a strong predilection for the Chinese, and seem to like their manners and customs, and never seem to resent this behaviour to their womankind, their own manners, customs, and morals (?) being of the very loosest description.''<ref name="Dunmore1894">{{cite book|author=Charles Adolphus Murray Earl of Dunmore|title=The Pamirs: Being a Narrative of a Year's Expedition on Horseback and on Foot Through Kashmir, Western Tibet, Chinese Tartary, and Russian Central Asia|url=https://archive.org/details/pamirs00dunmgoog|quote=When a Chinaman is called back to his own home in China proper, or a Chinese soldier has served his time in Turkestan and has to return to his native city of Pekin and Shanghai, he either leaves his temporary wife behind to shift for herself, or he sells her to a friend. If he has a family he takes the boys with him.|year=1894|publisher=J. Murray|pages=[https://archive.org/details/pamirs00dunmgoog/page/n394 328]–}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Ildikó Bellér-Hann|title=Community Matters in Xinjiang, 1880-1949: Towards a Historical Anthropology of the Uyghur|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cF4lMj8skvoC&q=When+a+Chinaman+is+called+back+to+his+own+home+in+China+proper,+or+a+Chinese+soldier+has+served+his+time+in+Turkestan+and+has+to+return+to+his+native+city+of+Pekin+and+Shanghai,+he+either+leaves+his+temporary+wife+behind+to+shift+for+herself,+or+he+sells+her+to+a+friend.+If+he+has+a+family+he+takes+the+boys+with+him&pg=PA267|year=2008|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-16675-2|pages=267–}}</ref>
</blockquote>

===Twentieth century===
[[File:The Begs of Yarkand.jpg|thumb|The Begs of Yarkand, 1915]]
[[File:Uyghur Meshrep.jpg|thumb|left|Uyghur [[meshrep]] in Yarkand]]
[[File:Hardware store. Yarkand.jpg|thumb|Hardware store. Yarkand.]]

The [[Battle of Yarkand]] took place in Yarkant county, in April 1934. [[Ma Zhancang]]'s [[Hui people|Chinese Muslim]] army defeated the Turkic Uighur and Kirghiz army, and the Afghan volunteers sent by king [[Mohammed Zahir Shah]], and exterminated them all. The emir [[Abdullah Bughra]] was killed and beheaded, his head was sent to [[Idgah mosque]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IAs9AAAAIAAJ&q=abdullah+afghans+killed&pg=PA134|title=Warlords and Muslims in Chinese Central Asia: a political history of Republican Sinkiang 1911–1949|author=Andrew D. W. Forbes|year=1986|publisher=CUP Archive|location=Cambridge, England|isbn=0-521-25514-7|pages=123, 303|access-date=2010-06-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bEzNwgtiVQ0C&q=warlords+and+muslims&pg=PA280|title=Wild West China: the taming of Xinjiang|author=Christian Tyler|year=2004|publisher=Rutgers University Press|location=New Brunswick, New Jersey|isbn=0-8135-3533-6|page=314|access-date=2010-06-28}}</ref>

Almost all the ancient buildings of the old city were destroyed during the [[Cultural Revolution]] (1966–1968) with only the central [[mosque]], the main gate of the old palace and the royal cemetery surviving.<ref>Dorje (2009), p. 453.</ref>

In July 2014, [[2014 Yarkant attacks|militants attacked two towns in armed clashes in the county]], leaving dozens of people dead.<ref>{{cite news |title=Villagers recount narrow escapes in Kashgar attack as CCTV airs scenes of aftermath |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1569223/villagers-recount-narrow-escapes-kashgar-attack-cctv-airs-scenes |access-date=12 January 2023 |agency=South China Morning Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/story/1328589/rare-visit-to-town-at-centre-of-massacre-claims |title=Rare Visit To Town At Centre Of Massacre Claims |website=news.sky.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902012907/http://news.sky.com/story/1328589/rare-visit-to-town-at-centre-of-massacre-claims |archive-date=2014-09-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1562211/dozens-killed-mob-violence-xinjiang-terror-attack|title=Dozens of axe-wielding attackers shot dead by police during attacks in Xinjiang|date=29 July 2014|access-date=9 April 2020|website=[[South China Morning Post]]|author=Li Jing}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=17 officials punished after Shache attacks |url=https://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2014-09/22/content_18640173.htm |website=China Daily}}</ref>

In August 2015, it was reported by Chinese media that the amount of farmland per capita was increased from {{convert mu|2.6|mu|ha|lk=in}} per person to {{convert mu|3.5|mu|ha|abbr=on}} after clearing up more arable lands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.ts.cn/content/2015-08/09/content_11723597.htm |script-title=zh:心系群众实际困难 提高服务群众能力|date=9 August 2015|archive-date=3 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503174828/http://news.ts.cn/content/2015-08/09/content_11723597.htm |language=zh-hans}}</ref>

{{synthesis|date=May 2016}}

==Geography==
Yarkant is strategically located about halfway between [[Kashgar]] and [[Khotan]], at the junction of a branch road north to [[Aksu, Xinjiang|Aksu]]. It also was the terminus for caravans coming from Kashmir via [[Ladakh]] and then over the [[Karakoram]] Pass to the oasis of [[Niya (Tarim Basin)|Niya]] in the [[Tarim Basin]].<ref name="silk">{{Cite web
|url=https://www.silk-road.com/artl/niya.shtml
|title=The Most Important Findings of Niya in Taklamakan
|publisher=The Silk Road|access-date=2007-07-21}}</ref>  The Xinjiang-Tibet Highway [[China National Highway 219]], built in 1956 commences in Yecheng/Yarkant and heads south and west, across [[Aksai Chin]] and into central Tibet.

From Yarkant another important route headed southwest via [[Tashkurgan Town]] to the [[Wakhan]] corridor from where travellers could cross the relatively easy [[Baroghil]] Pass and [[Badakshan]].

===Climate===
As with much of southern Xinjiang, Yarkant has a [[temperate]] zone, [[cold desert climate|continental desert climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BWk''), with a mean total of only {{convert|61|mm|2|abbr=on}} of precipitation per annum. As spring and autumn are short, winter and summer are the main seasons. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from {{convert|−5.2|°C|1}} in January to {{convert|25.3|°C|1}} in July; the annual mean is {{convert|12.01|°C|1}}. The [[diurnal temperature variation]] is not particularly large for a desert, averaging {{convert|13.3|C-change}} annually. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 56% in March to 75% in October, the county seat receives 2,860 hours of bright sunshine annually.

{{Weather box
|metric first=y
|single line=y
|collapsed=Y
|location = Yarkhant, elevation {{convert|1231|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–2010)
|Jan record high C = 19.4 |Jan record low C = -23.4
|Feb record high C = 17.8 |Feb record low C = -24.1
|Mar record high C = 29.8 |Mar record low C = -8.0
|Apr record high C = 33.8 |Apr record low C = -0.1
|May record high C = 36.3 |May record low C = 4.4
|Jun record high C = 40.7 |Jun record low C = 8.8
|Jul record high C = 39.4 |Jul record low C = 11.6
|Aug record high C = 39.4 |Aug record low C = 9.4
|Sep record high C = 35.3 |Sep record low C = 3.9
|Oct record high C = 29.8 |Oct record low C = -3.3
|Nov record high C = 24.8 |Nov record low C = -10.4
|Dec record high C = 19.5 |Dec record low C = -22.1
|year high C =  |year low C = 
|year high F =  |year low F =
|Jan high C = 	0.6
|Feb high C = 	6.8
|Mar high C = 	16.1
|Apr high C = 	23.8
|May high C = 	27.8
|Jun high C = 	31.4
|Jul high C = 	32.8
|Aug high C = 	31.1
|Sep high C = 	27.1
|Oct high C = 	20.9
|Nov high C = 	11.9
|Dec high C = 	2.7
|Jan mean C = 	-5.4
|Feb mean C = 	0.5
|Mar mean C = 	9.3
|Apr mean C = 	16.6
|May mean C = 	20.6
|Jun mean C = 	24.2
|Jul mean C = 	25.6
|Aug mean C = 	24.1
|Sep mean C = 	19.6
|Oct mean C = 	12.4
|Nov mean C = 	4.1
|Dec mean C = 	-3.1
|Jan low C = 	-10.3
|Feb low C = 	-4.8
|Mar low C = 	3.2
|Apr low C = 	9.9
|May low C = 	14.0
|Jun low C = 	17.6
|Jul low C = 	19.2
|Aug low C = 	17.9
|Sep low C = 	13.0
|Oct low C = 	5.2
|Nov low C = 	-1.8
|Dec low C = 	-7.5
|precipitation colour = green	
|Jan precipitation mm = 	2.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 	2.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 	3.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 	4.3
|May precipitation mm = 	10.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 	9.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 	13.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 	10.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 	7.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 	0.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 	1.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 	1.4
|Jan humidity = 	64
|Feb humidity = 	54
|Mar humidity = 	41
|Apr humidity = 	36
|May humidity = 	41
|Jun humidity = 	42
|Jul humidity = 	48
|Aug humidity = 	54
|Sep humidity = 	56
|Oct humidity = 	55
|Nov humidity = 	57
|Dec humidity = 	67
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm	
|Jan precipitation days = 	1.6
|Feb precipitation days = 	1.6
|Mar precipitation days = 	1.3
|Apr precipitation days = 	1.4
|May precipitation days = 	3.3
|Jun precipitation days = 	4.1
|Jul precipitation days = 	4.4
|Aug precipitation days = 	4.1
|Sep precipitation days = 	2.6
|Oct precipitation days = 	0.6
|Nov precipitation days = 	0.3
|Dec precipitation days = 	1.6
|year precipitation days = 	
|Jan sun = 	162.4
|Feb sun = 	172.0
|Mar sun = 	199.4
|Apr sun = 	218.4
|May sun = 	264.1
|Jun sun = 	294.8
|Jul sun = 	295.2
|Aug sun = 	264.3
|Sep sun = 	250.0
|Oct sun = 	257.8
|Nov sun = 	209.7
|Dec sun = 	167.0
|year sun = 	
| Jan percentsun = 	53
| Feb percentsun = 	56
| Mar percentsun = 	53
| Apr percentsun = 	55
| May percentsun = 	59
| Jun percentsun = 	67
| Jul percentsun = 	66
| Aug percentsun = 	64
| Sep percentsun = 	69
| Oct percentsun = 	76
| Nov percentsun = 	71
| Dec percentsun = 	57
| year percentsun =	
|Jan snow days = 	5.3
|Feb snow days = 	2.8
|Mar snow days = 	0.5
|Apr snow days = 	0
|May snow days = 	0
|Jun snow days = 	0
|Jul snow days = 	0
|Aug snow days = 	0
|Sep snow days = 	0
|Oct snow days = 	0
|Nov snow days = 	0.6
|Dec snow days = 	4.6
|year snow days = 	
|source 1 = [[China Meteorological Administration]]<ref name="cma graphical">{{cite web |url=http://data.cma.cn/data/weatherBk.html |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网 – WeatherBk Data |publisher=[[China Meteorological Administration]] |language = zh-hans |access-date=10 October 2023}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web|url=https://experience.arcgis.com/template/e724038fda394e9d9b7921f10fd1aa55/page/%E7%BA%AF%E8%A1%A8%E6%A0%BC%E7%BB%9F%E8%AE%A1-(%E5%AF%B9%E6%AF%948110%E5%8F%98%E5%8C%96)/?org=UQmaps |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网|publisher=[[China Meteorological Administration]] |language = zh-hans | access-date =10 October 2023 |title=Experience Template }}</ref><ref name="CMA old">
{{cite web|url=http://old-cdc.cma.gov.cn/shuju/search1.jsp?dsid=SURF_CLI_CHN_MUL_MMON_19712000_CES&tpcat=SURF&type=table&pageid=3 |script-title=zh:中国地面国际交换站气候标准值月值数据集（1971－2000年）|publisher=[[China Meteorological Administration]] |access-date=2010-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055035/http://old-cdc.cma.gov.cn/shuju/search1.jsp?dsid=SURF_CLI_CHN_MUL_MMON_19712000_CES&tpcat=SURF&type=table&pageid=3 |archive-date=2013-09-21 
}}</ref>
}}

==Administrative divisions==
Yarkant County includes 5 [[Subdistricts of China|subdistricts]], 14 [[Town (China)|towns]], 14 [[Township (China)|townships]], and 1 [[Ethnic townships, towns, and sums|ethnic township]].<ref name="statsyarkant">{{cite web |url=http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/tjbz/tjyqhdmhcxhfdm/2019/65/31/653125.html|script-title=zh:2019年统计用区划代码和城乡划分代码：莎车县 |language=zh-hans |publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of the People's Republic of China]] |date=2019 |access-date=27 February 2020 |quote={{lang|zh-hans|统计用区划代码 名称 653125001000 叶尓羌街道 653125002000 城中街道 653125003000 城东街道 653125004000 城西街道 653125005000 城北街道 653125100000 莎车镇 653125101000 恰热克镇 653125102000 艾力西湖镇 653125103000 荒地镇 653125104000 阿瓦提镇 653125105000 白什坎特镇 653125106000 依盖尔其镇 653125107000 古勒巴格镇 653125108000 米夏镇 653125109000 托木吾斯塘镇 653125110000 塔尕尔其镇 653125111000 乌达力克镇 653125112000 阿拉买提镇 653125113000 阿扎特巴格镇 653125201000 阿热勒乡 653125202000 恰尔巴格乡 653125204000 英吾斯塘乡 653125206000 阿尔斯兰巴格乡 653125207000 孜热甫夏提塔吉克族乡 653125208000 亚喀艾日克乡 653125209000 喀群乡 653125210000 霍什拉甫乡 653125211000 达木斯乡 653125213000 伊什库力乡 653125214000 拍克其乡 653125216000 阔什艾日克乡 653125217000 墩巴格乡 653125220000 巴格阿瓦提乡 653125221000 喀拉苏乡 653125401000 喀什监狱 653125402000 莎车县良种繁育场 653125403000 莎车县第一林场（国营苗圃） 653125404000 莎车县国营二林场 653125405000 莎车县园艺场 653125406000 莎车县蚕种场 653125407000 莎车县鱼苗场 653125408000 农科院莎车农业试验站 653125409000 工业园区管委会 653125410000 英阿瓦提管理委员会 653125411000 永安管理委员会 653125514000 兵团五十四团|}}}}</ref><ref name="xzqhyarkant">{{cite web|url=http://www.xzqh.org/html/show/xj/21314.html|script-title=zh:莎车县历史沿革|website=XZQH.org|date=29 January 2015|access-date=27 February 2020|quote={{lang|zh-hans|2010年第六次人口普查，莎车县常住总人口762385人，其中：莎车镇128145人，恰热克镇29946人，艾力西湖镇36793人，荒地镇34658人，阿瓦提镇25119人，伯什坎特镇39243人，依盖尔其镇27038人，古勒巴格乡22255人，阿热勒乡17398人，恰尔巴格乡12972人，托木吾斯塘乡29579人，英吾斯塘乡10582人，乌达力克乡31525人，阿热斯兰巴格乡20018人，孜热甫普夏提乡10504人，亚喀艾日克乡10204人，喀群乡18749人，藿什拉甫乡17351人，达木斯乡9678人，米夏乡32419人，伊什库力乡29930人，拍克其乡19809人，塔尕尔其乡34554人，阔什艾日克乡16413人，墩巴格乡17579人，阿拉买提乡23583人，阿扎特巴格乡15846人，巴格阿瓦提乡16951人，喀拉苏乡14756人，喀什监狱5506人，县良种场1988人，优质果树苗木繁育基地270人，国营二林场224人，园艺场186人，蚕种场284人，渔苗场30人，农科院莎车农业试验站300人。}}}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" align="center" style="width:50%; border="1"
|-
! Name
! Simplified Chinese
! Hanyu Pinyin
! [[Uyghur language|Uyghur]] ([[Uyghur Arabic script|UEY]])
! Uyghur Latin ([[Uyghur Latin alphabet|ULY]])
! [[Administrative division codes of the People's Republic of China|Administrative division code]]
! Notes
|-
| colspan="8"  style="text-align:center; background:#d3d3d3;"|'''Subdistricts'''
|----------
| [[Yakan Subdistrict]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|叶尔羌街道}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Yè'ěrqiāng Jiēdào}}
| {{lang|ug|يەكەن كوچا باشقارمىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|yeken kocha bashqarmisi}}
| 653125001
|
|-
| [[Chengzhong Subdistrict, Yarkant County|Chengzhong Subdistrict]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|城中街道}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Chéngzhōng Jiēdào}}
| {{lang|ug|شەھەر ئوتتۇرا كوچا باشقارمىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|sheher Ottura kocha bashqarmisi}}
| 653125002
|
|-
| [[Chengdong Subdistrict]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|城东街道}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Chéngdōng Jiēdào}}
| {{lang|ug|شەرقى شەھەر كوچا باشقارمىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|sherqi sheher kocha bashqarmisi}}
| 653125003
|
|-
| [[Chengxi Subdistrict]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|城西街道}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Chéngxī Jiēdào}}
| {{lang|ug|چېڭشى كوچا باشقارمىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|chëngshi kocha bashqarmisi}}
| 653125004
|
|-
| [[Chengbei Subdistrict, Yarkant County|Chengbei Subdistrict]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|城北街道}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Chéngběi Jiēdào}}
| {{lang|ug|شەھەر شىمالى كوچا باشقارمىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|sheher shimali kocha bashqarmisi}}
| 653125005
|
|----------
| colspan="8"  style="text-align:center; background:#d3d3d3;"|'''Towns'''
|----------
| [[Yakan Town]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|莎车镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Shāchē Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|يەكەن بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|yeken baziri}}
| 653125100
|
|-
| [[Charak, Yarkant County|Charak Town]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|恰热克镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Qiàrèkè Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|چارەك بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|charek baziri}}
| 653125101
|
|-
| [[Elishku|Elishku Town]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/reports-07292014102851.html|title=Dozens of Uyghurs Shot Dead in Riots in Xinjiang's Yarkand County|date=29 July 2014|access-date=28 February 2020|website=[[Radio Free Asia]]|author1=Parameswaran Ponnudurai |author2=Luisetta Mudie |translator=Mamatjan Juma and Luisetta Mudie|quote=The riots began on Monday morning when groups of Uyghurs attacked a police station and government offices in Elishku township, prompting police to fire at the crowd, leaving many dead or wounded, local officials told RFA's Uyghur Service.{...}"China does not want the world to know what occurred on Monday in Elishku Township," he said. "That state media could label the killing of dozens of people as in line with the law reflects the poor regard the state has for its own laws and judicial process."{...}Aytullah Tursun, head of No. 16 village, also one of the villages affected by the clashes, said the police killing of a family of five in Beshkent village near Elishku township on July 18 could have triggered the riots.}}</ref>
| {{lang|zh-hans|艾力西湖镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Àilìxīhú Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|ئېلىشقۇ بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|Ëlishqu baziri}}
| 653125102
|
|-
| [[Hangdi, Yarkant County|Hangdi Town]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|荒地镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Huāngdì Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|خاڭدى بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|xangdi baziri}}
| 653125103
|
|-
| [[Awat, Yarkant County|Awat Town]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|阿瓦提镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Āwǎtí Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|ئاۋات بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|Awat baziri}}
| 653125104
|
|-
| [[Beshkent, Yarkant County|Beshkent Town]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|白什坎特镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Báishíkǎntè Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|بەشكەنت بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|beshkent baziri}}
| 653125105
|
|-
| [[Egerchi|Egerchi Town]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|依盖尔其镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Yīgài'ěrqí Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|ئېگەرچى بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|Ëgerchi baziri}}
| 653125106
|
|-
| [[Gulbagh|Gulbagh Town]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/17/c_139373591.htm|title=Full Text: Employment and Labor Rights in Xinjiang|date=17 September 2020|access-date=20 September 2020|website=[[Xinhua News Agency]]|editor=huaxia|quote=According to a survey in early 2020, with a population of 3,540, the Aybagh Village in Gulbagh Town, Shache (Yarkant) County, Kashgar Prefecture,|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920221946/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/17/c_139373591.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| {{lang|zh-hans|古勒巴格镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Gǔlèbāgé Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|گۈلباغ بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|gülbagh baziri}}
| 653125107
| Formerly Gulbagh Township ({{lang|ug|گۈلباغ بازىرى}} / {{lang|zh-hans|古勒巴格乡}})
|-
| [[Misha, Yarkant County|Misha Town]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|米夏镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Mǐxià Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|مىشا بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|misha baziri}}
| 653125108
| Formerly Misha Township ({{lang|zh-hans|米夏乡}}) 
|-
| [[Tomosteng|Tomosteng Town]]<ref>{{cite web
|date=2018-02-07
|last=Hoshur
|first=Shohret
|author-link=Shohret Hoshur
|author2=Alim Seytoff
|author3=Joshua Lipes
|title=Mandatory Indoctrination Classes For Unemployed Uyghurs in Xinjiang
|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/classes-02072018150017.html
|work=[[Radio Free Asia]]
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208035720/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/classes-02072018150017.html
|archive-date=February 8, 2018}}</ref>
| {{lang|zh-hans|托木吾斯塘镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Tuōmùwúsītáng Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|تومئۆستەڭ بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|tom'östeng baziri}}
| 653125109
| formerly Tomosteng Township ({{lang|ug|تومئۆستەڭ يېزىسى}} / {{lang|zh-hans|托木吾斯塘乡}}) 
|-
| [[Tagharchi|Tagharchi Town]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|塔尕尔其镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Tǎgǎ'ěrqí Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|تاغارچى بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|tagharchi baziri}}
| 653125110
| formerly Tagharchi Township ({{lang|ug|تاغارچى يېزىسى}} / {{lang|zh-hans|塔尕尔其乡}}) 
|-
| [[Odanlik|Odanlik Town]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|乌达力克镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Wūdálìkè Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|ئودانلىق بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|Odanliq baziri}}
| 653125111
| formerly Odanlik Township ({{lang|ug|ئودانلىق يېزىسى}} / {{lang|zh-hans|乌达力克乡}}) 
|-
| [[Alamet|Alamet Town]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|阿拉买提镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Ālāmǎití Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|ئالامەت بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|Alamet baziri}}
| 653125112
| formerly Alamet Township ({{lang|ug|ئالامەت يېزىسى}} / {{lang|zh-hans|阿拉买提乡}}) 
|-
| [[Azadbagh|Azadbagh Town]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|阿扎特巴格镇}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Āzhātèbāgé Zhèn}}
| {{lang|ug|ئازادباغ بازىرى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|Azadbagh baziri}}
| 653125113
| formerly Azadbagh Township ({{lang|ug|ئازادباغ يېزىسى}} / {{lang|zh-hans|阿扎特巴格乡}}) 
|----------
| colspan="8"  style="text-align:center; background:#d3d3d3;"|'''Townships'''
|----------
| [[Aral Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|阿热勒乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Ārèlè Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|ئارال يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|Aral yëzisi}}
| 653125201
|
|-
| [[Charbagh Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|恰尔巴格乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Qià'ěrbāgé Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|چارباغ يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|charbagh yëzisi}}
| 653125202
|
|-
| [[Yengiostang, Yarkant County|Yengiostang Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|英吾斯塘乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Yīngwúsītáng Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|يېڭىئۆستەڭ يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|yëngi'östeng yëzisi}}
| 653125204
|
|-
| [[Arslanbagh Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|阿尔斯兰巴格乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Ā'ěrsīlánbāgé Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|ئارسلانباغ يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|Arslanbagh yëzisi}}
| 653125206
|
|-
| [[Yaqaerik Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|亚喀艾日克乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Yàkā'àirìkè Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|ياقائېرىق يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|yaqa'ëriq yëzisi}}
| 653125208
|
|-
| [[Kachung Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|喀群乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Kāqún Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|كاچۇڭ يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|kachung yëzisi}}
| 653125209
|
|-
| [[Koshirap Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|霍什拉甫乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Huòshílāfǔ Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|قوشىراپ يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|qoshirap yëzisi}}
| 653125210
|
|-
| [[Damsi Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|达木斯乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Dámùsī Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|دامسى يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|damsi yëzisi}}
| 653125211
|
|-
| [[Ishkul Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|伊什库力乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Yīshíkùlì Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|ئىشقۇل يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|Ishqul yëzisi}}
| 653125213
|
|-
| [[Pekichi Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|拍克其乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Pāikèqí Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|پەكىچى يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|pekichi yëzisi}}
| 653125214
|
|-
| [[Kosh'erik Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|阔什艾日克乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Kuòshí'àirìkè Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|قوشئېرىق يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|qosh'ëriq yëzisi}}
| 653125216
|
|-
| [[Dongbagh Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|墩巴格乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Dūnbāgé Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|دۆڭباغ يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|döngbagh yëzisi}}
| 653125217
|
|-
| [[Baghawat Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|巴格阿瓦提乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Bāgé'āwǎtí Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|باغئاۋات يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|bagh'awat yëzisi}}
| 653125220
|
|-
| [[Karasu Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|喀拉苏乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Kālāsū Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|قاراسۇ يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|qarasu yëzisi}}
| 653125221
|
|----------
| colspan="8"  style="text-align:center; background:#d3d3d3;"|'''Ethnic township'''
|----------
| [[Zerepshat Tajik Ethnic Township]]
| {{lang|zh-hans|孜热甫夏提塔吉克族乡}}
| {{Transliteration|zh|Zīrèfǔxiàtí Tǎjíkèzú Xiāng}}
| {{lang|ug|زەرەپشات تاجىك يېزىسى}}
| {{Transliteration|ug|zerepshat tajik yëzisi}}
| 653125207
|
|-
|}

==Economy==
Yarkant County is an important producer of wheat, corn, rice, rapeseed, and cotton in southern Xinjiang. The area also produces grapes, rugs, and leather products. Industries include electronics, coal, silk, tractor repair, and cotton and cooking oil processing.<ref name="cihai">{{cite book|editor1=夏征农|editor2=陈至立|script-title=zh:辞海：第六版彩图本 |trans-title=[[Cihai]] (Sixth Edition in Color) |date=September 2009|location=[[Shanghai]]|publisher=[[Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House]].|isbn=978-7-5326-2859-9| language=zh|page=1955}}</ref>

In 1885 there was about 154,600 acres (1,021,500 ''[[Mu (unit)|mu]]'') of cultivated land in Yarkant.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Cultivation Development and Expansion in China's Colonial Realm in Central Asia|author=Herold J. Wiens|journal=[[The Journal of Asian Studies]]|volume=26|issue=1|date=November 1966|page=75|doi=10.2307/2051832 |jstor=2051832|s2cid=162339064 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|type=China
|percentages = pagr
|2000|620329
|2010|762385
|footnote = <ref name="xzqhyarkant"/>
|}}

As of 2015, 818,379 of the 851,374 residents of the county were [[Uyghurs|Uyghur]], 25,404 were [[Han Chinese]] and 7,591 were from other ethnic groups.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.xjtj.gov.cn/sjcx/tjnj_3415/2016xjtjnj/rkjy/201707/t20170714_539450.html |script-title= zh:3-7 各地、州、市、县(市)分民族人口数 |language=zh-hans|publisher=Statistic Bureau of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region |date=15 March 2017|access-date=3 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171011101904/http://www.xjtj.gov.cn/sjcx/tjnj_3415/2016xjtjnj/rkjy/201707/t20170714_539450.html |archive-date= 11 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

As of 1999, 95.71% of the population of Yarkant (Shache) County was Uyghur and 3.47% of the population was Han Chinese.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/bitstream/handle/1773/44961/9780295804057.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y|title=Governing China's Multiethnic Frontiers|date=2004|isbn=0-295-98390-6|editor=Morris Rossabi|editor-link=Morris Rossabi|publisher=[[University of Washington Press]]|page=179}}</ref>

==Transportation==
Yarkant is served by [[China National Highway 315]], the [[Kashgar-Hotan Railway]] and [[Shache Ye'erqiang Airport]].

==Historical maps==
Historical English-language maps including Yarkant:
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160">
File:NJ-43-8 Shache, China.jpg|Map including Yarkant (labeled as SHACHE (SHA-CH'E) ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1980)
File:Txu-oclc-6654394-nj-43-5th-ed.jpg|Map including Yarkant (labeled as SO-CH'E (YARKAND)) ([[Army Map Service|AMS]], 1966){{efn|From map: "DELINEATION OF INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES MUST NOT BE CONSIDERED AUTHORITATIVE"}}
File:Operational Navigation Chart G-7, 6th edition.jpg|From the Operational Navigation Chart; map including Yarkant (labeled as SHACHE (SO-CH'E)) ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1980){{efn|From map: "The representation of international boundaries is not necessarily authoritative."}}
File:Txu-pclmaps-oclc-22834566 g-7a.jpg|Map including Yarkant (labeled as SHACHE (SO-CH'E)) ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1984){{efn|From map: "The representation of international boundaries is not necessarily authoritative"}}
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Altyn Mosque]]
* [[Xinjiang]]
* [[Mount Imeon]]
* [[Shaksgam River]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==References==
*Dorje, Gyurme (2009). ''Tibet Handbook''. 4th Edition. Footprint, Bath, England. {{ISBN|978-1-906098-32-2}}.
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JxwPAAAAYAAJ|title=Report of a mission to Yarkund in 1873, under command of Sir T. D. Forsyth: with historical and geographical information regarding the possessions of the ameer of Yarkund|author=Sir Thomas Douglas Forsyth|author-link=Sir Thomas Douglas Forsyth|year=1875|publisher=Printed at the Foreign department press|page=573|access-date=2011-01-23}}
* [[Thomas Douglas Forsyth|Forsyth, T. D.]] ''Report on A Mission to Yarkund in 1873''. Foreign Department Press, Calcutta, 1875. Downloadable from: https://archive.org/details/reportamissiont00forsgoog.
*[[Thomas Edward Gordon|Gordon, T. E.]] 1876. ''[https://archive.org/details/roworldanarrati00gordgoog The Roof of the World: Being the Narrative of a Journey over the high plateau of Tibet to the Russian Frontier and the Oxus sources on Pamir].'' Edinburgh. Edmonston and Douglas. Reprint: Ch'eng Wen Publishing Company. Taipei. 1971.
* Hill, John E. (2015). ''Through the Jade Gate - China to Rome: A Study of the Silk Routes 1st to 2nd Centuries CE''. Volumes I and II. CreateSpace, Charleston, SC. {{ISBN|978-1-5006-9670-2}} and {{ISBN|978-1-5033-8462-0}}.{{self-published inline|date=May 2020|certain=yes}}
*Hulsewé, A. F. P. and Loewe, M. A. N. 1979. ''China in Central Asia: The Early Stage 125 BC – AD 23: an annotated translation of chapters 61 and 96 of the History of the Former Han Dynasty''. E. J. Brill, Leiden.
*Puri, B. N. ''Buddhism in Central Asia'', Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi, 1987.  (2000 reprint).
*Shaw, Robert. 1871. Visits to High Tartary, Yarkand and Kashgar. Reprint with introduction by Peter Hopkirk, Oxford University Press, 1984. {{ISBN|0-19-583830-0}}.
*Stein, Aurel M. 1907. ''Ancient Khotan: Detailed report of archaeological explorations in Chinese Turkestan'', 2 vols. Clarendon Press. Oxford. [https://dsr.nii.ac.jp/toyobunko/]
*Stein, Aurel M. 1921. ''Serindia: Detailed report of explorations in Central Asia and westernmost China'', 5 vols. London & Oxford. Clarendon Press. Reprint: Delhi. Motilal Banarsidass. 1980. [https://dsr.nii.ac.jp/toyobunko/]

==External links==
{{Commons|Yarkand|Yarkand}}
{{Wiktionary|Yarkant|Yarkand}}
* [http://www.kashi.gov.cn/English/Citycounty/yarkent.htm Introduction to Yarkent County], official website of [[Kashgar Prefecture]] government
* {{cite EB9 |wstitle = Yarkand |volume= XXIV  | page=728 |short=1 }}
* {{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Yarkand |volume = 28 |pages=904-905 |short=1}}
* [http://www.inspirits.net/photos/yarkand-pictures Yarkand Pictures]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060207162814/http://depts.washington.edu/uwch/silkroad/texts/goes.html Travels of Benedict Göez] Washington University
* [https://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/index.html The Silk Road Seattle website] contains many useful resources including a number of full-text historical works)

{{Xinjiang Administrative Divisions}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Central Asian Buddhist kingdoms]]
[[Category:Central Asian Buddhist sites]]
[[Category:Populated places along the Silk Road]]
[[Category:County-level divisions of Xinjiang]]
[[Category:Oases of China]]
[[Category:Former countries in Chinese history]]
[[Category:Kashgar Prefecture]]