Kashgar–Hotan Railway

The Kashgar–Hotan Railway or Kahe Railway (Chinese: 喀什至和田铁路; pinyin: Kāshí zhì Hétián Tiělù, abbreviated Chinese: 喀和铁路; pinyin: Kā-Hé Tiělù) is a single-track, non-electrified, railway in Xinjiang, China between Kashgar and Hotan. The railway is 488.27 km (303.40 mi) in length and runs along the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, connecting all major cities and towns of the southwestern Tarim Basin, including Shule, Akto, Yengisar, Yarkant (Shache), Poskam (Zepu), Karghilik (Yecheng), Pishan (Guma) and Karakax (Moyu). The line extends the Southern Xinjiang Railway east from Kashgar. Construction began in December 2008. The line opened to freight traffic on December 30, 2010. Passenger service began on June 28, 2011.