The KashgarâÂÂHotan railway or Kahe railway (, abbreviated ), is a single-track, non-electrified, railway in Xinjiang, China between Kashgar and Hotan. The railway is 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 south from Kashgar. Construction began in December 2008. The line opened to freight traffic on December 30, 2010. Passenger service began on June 28, 2011. Beyond Hotan, it continues as the HotanâÂÂRuoqiang railway.
If built, the proposed Khunjerab Railway, a part of the ChinaâÂÂPakistan Economic Corridor, would link Islamabad in Pakistan to Hotan and the Chinese railway network. It also forms the Taklimakan Desert railway loop, together with sections of the HotanâÂÂRuoqiang railway, Southern Xinjiang railway, and GolmudâÂÂKorla railway.