Yarkand rug

A Yarkand rug is a handwoven floor covering historically associated with the oasis city of Yarkand in China's Xinjiang region. These rugs are difficult to distinguish from those made in nearby Khotan and Kashgar, and all were often marketed in the West as "Samarkands".12

While Yarkand is a significant oasis city on the ancient Silk Road, known for its fertile land and handicrafts like textiles and leather goods, the rugs themselves share characteristics with both Middle Eastern and Chinese art. They are typically asymmetrically knotted, feature brighter colors than many Chinese rugs, and sometimes incorporate dark outlines around their designs, with a tendency towards Persian draftsmanship and border patterns.342