The source of jade—Kashtash Village deep in Kunlun

Go out of Hotan City and cross the Yulong Kashgar River in the east of the city. The He-Bu Highway goes south along the east bank of the river and goes straight into the Kunlun Mountains. As soon as we enter the mountain, the road winds and twists, sometimes twisting and turning, sometimes ups and downs among the cliffs. One side of the road is like a hundred-foot stone wall, and the other side is a bottomless, rapid river. The Yulong Kashgar River flows from the snowy peaks deep in the mountains. Under the sunlight, the trickling creeks merge into Taotao rapids and plunge into the eternal wasteland to the north. Therefore, the Hotan Oasis is nurtured by the mountains and water, cultivating flowers, love and the endless song of life.

What brings the spirit of life is the suet-fat white jade condensed from the semen of the mountain.

Everyone in Hotan knows that the best mutton-fat jade in the world is only produced in the Yulong Kashgar River. With the old bridge in the east of the city as the center, going south and north, the experienced jade workers know exactly what kind of jade is produced in which section. If you hold a piece of exquisite jade in your hand, touch it with your hands, and rub it on your face a few times, you can determine the origin of the jade. But if you ask him which peak in Kunlun this jade is found in, I'm afraid no one would dare to tell. Maybe it’s the mystery of Kunlun Mountain, or maybe it’s the innate awe of mountains and jade that our ancestors have for generations, but no one dares to get to the bottom of it. The elders say that where there are mountains, there is water, and where there is water, there is jade. Each piece of jade in the Jade Dragon Kashgar River is a spirit, the essence of the mountain, the life formed by the jade liquid. Only those who are destined can meet it in the river. It belongs to you. When you walk in the river, the jade will greet you and maybe trip you. But if it is not yours, even if the jade is right under your feet, you will turn a blind eye. Hotan people believe in fate when it comes to jade.

Going up the He-Bu Road, crossing the Buya mining area, and then climbing over a mountain ridge, you will find the village of Kashitash, which has been quietly located by the river for an unknown number of years. People in the village regard the mountain as their father and the river as their mother, but the soul of the mountain and river is the jade. Their ancestors have made a living on jade for generations. Whenever the spring is warm and the flowers are blooming, they pack up their bags and go into the mountains or down the river to find their own source of life.

Everyone in the mountains knows that only those who are recognized by the mountains and waters will meet jade. The only way to be recognized is to be in awe of mountains and water. This awe comes from your tranquility and self-consciousness.

Goodness and jade are treasures given to mankind by the god of Kunlun.

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