Markit

Markit is situated on the westernmost tip of the Taklimakan Desert, facing the Yarkant River. Although at some distance from the Silk Road, It was on a branch road leading to Kashi in ancient times. Some explorers went east from Markit to enter the Taklimakan Desert.

The Silk Road, Past and Present

1989, Muqi (车慕奇) Che, “From Kashi to Hotan”, in 丝绸之路今昔 [The Silk Road, Past and Present], Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 271

In the desert-bounded Markit County, the Daolang dance with its strong regional characteristics is popular. This dance, performed to the accompaniment of the Daolang sanam or the Daolang mukam, depicts the hunting activities of the Markit people in ancient times.

Xinjiang : the Land and the People

1989, 郑平 [Zheng Ping], 洛安吉 [Luo Anji], transl., 新疆风物志 [Xinjiang : the Land and the People], Beijing: New World Press, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 129

Hedin chose his thirtieth birthday, 17 February 1895, to depart from Kashgar and travel to Markit with the aim of mapping the south-western sector of the Taklamakan. He had planned to cross the perilous empty quarter, a dangerous zone made up of shifting sand dunes, located between the Yarkant and Khotan rivers. He left Markit (these days, well known for its cluster of labour camps) with a caravan leader, three other men, eight camels, guard dogs and some livestock, and provisions for one month.

1994, Christa Paula, The Road to Miran, HarperCollins, →ISBN, →OCLC, →OL, page 92