A few kilometres beyond Jíyà lies the tomb complex of Imam Asim (Tomb of Four Imams). It’s a popular pilgrimage site, particularly during May, and you’ll likely see groups of Uighurs praying and chanting at the desert shrine, which is slowly being engulfed by the Taklamakan Desert.
The best day to visit is Thursday, when a pilgrim market springs up by the roadside, about 2km before the tomb, and buses run direct to the site from Hotan’s east bus station. At other times buses to Jíyà drop you 3km from the site, from where you should be able to hire a motorised cart.
