page_title: Niya Town
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Niya Town / History
caption_attribution_description: English: I took this photo on a trip through Xinjiang in 2011
context_page_description: Niya, is a town in Minfeng County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
  It is the county seat of Minfeng County, and therefore is commonly referred to as Minfeng, and is labeled so on less detailed maps. An ancient town also called Niya is located 115 km to the north of this modern Niya.
context_section_description: Niya/Minfeng was known in ancient time as Ronglu (戎盧) during the Han dynasties (206 BC - 222 AD) and, according to the Hanshu Chapter 96A, was said to have had "240 households, 610 individuals with 300 persons able to bear arms" during the Former Han Dynasty (206 BC - 23 AD). It is situated about 115 km north of the modern town of Minfeng. Numerous Buddhist scriptures, sculptures, mummies and other precious archeological finds have been made in the region. The remains of more than seventy buildings have been discovered scattered over an area of some 45 km². It was located on the southern branch of the Silk Road.
  In the early 20th century, Aurel Stein carried out several expeditions in the area including exploration of the ancient Niya ruins.
  In 2015, Lanpalu was added as a residential community.
  In 2017, Ankang, Xingfu, Tuanjie, Hexie, Guangming and Youyi were established as residential communities.
caption: Mao meets Uyghur farmer, Minfeng
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