Description:
Khotan is said to have broken the closely guarded Chinese silk monopoly in the 5th century. According to legend, a Chinese princess was instructed by the king to smuggle silk-moth eggs in her hairpiece, as frontier guards, however zealous, would never touch a lady's hair.
The front building houses offices, and possibly someone willing to show you around, but the surest way to see the center is to arrange a tour through CITS, who will also show you "their" traditional silk makers. You can view the entire mysterious process, from sorting and boiling the cocoons, to reeling off the thread -- typically 900m (2,950 ft.) long -- through to the final weaving into the wavelike ikat patterns characteristic of Khotan silk. While the primitive (and deafening) technology makes for a good tour, business is not good. A sign near the gate opens with a statement of the company's bold production targets, and ends with the modest objective, DON'T LOSE MONEY (bu kui). You'll find few tasteful products in the shop; buy your silk in a large city. This difference in tastes is nothing new. Chinese silk patterns were never in vogue among the Romans, who usually imported silk thread -- Plinius recorded that Chinese cloth would be unraveled and rewoven.
- © Frommer's 2012
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Ask a local about Silk and Mulberry Research Center (Si Sang Yanjiusuo)
Ask Khotan Locals about Silk and Mulberry Research Center (Si Sang Yanjiusuo)
Awards:
Frommer's
- Recommended 2010
