The development of Hetian jade in the Qing Dynasty was unprecedentedly brilliant. The most representative one is the "Dayu Water Control Map Yushan" carved by Emperor Qianlong. It is 224 cm high, 96 cm wide, 60 cm high, and weighs 5,000 kg. Sapphire from Hotan Milata Mountain.
This is the stone carving art with the largest amount of jade, the largest shape and the longest time spent in China, and it is the largest stone carving in the world.
Hetian jade is hidden deep in the mountains of Kunlun Mountains and Karakorum Mountains, so it is inconvenient to mine.
Since ancient times, people have picked up jade stones washed down by floods in the valleys below the mountains, and gradually formed a custom of picking jade.
Ji Xiaolan in the Qing Dynasty once wrote: "Jade is warm and plump like mutton fat, and Kungang's air vessels are originally unique. People from the six cities embrace the banks of the double rivers, and entering the water does not seek the diameter of an inch of plant."
The two rivers mentioned in the poem refer to the Karakash River and the Yulong Kashi River that flow through Moyu County and Hotan City.
These two rivers are also named after jade, and the locals call them Baiyu River and Moyu River.
Nowadays, people who come to Hotan for tourism often regard picking jade in the river beach as a tourist item.
And the Hetian jade trading market built along the river has naturally become the most attractive place, and there is an endless stream of people coming and going every day.
Responsible editor: [Peng Dawei]