釋迦方志 1.45

1.45

The kingdom of Bālukā (Bālujiā; anciently named Xingmo, also named Hanmo). It is more than six hundred li from east to west and more than three hundred li from north to south. The royal city is fifty li in circuit. There are tens of monasteries and more than one thousand monks, all studying the Hīnayāna. Traveling northwest for more than three hundred li, crossing a stony desert, one reaches the Ice Mountains (Lingshan), which are the northern plateau of the Congling (Pamir Mountains). Most rivers flow eastward. On this route one must not wear ochre clothing, carry gourds, or shout aloud; if anyone violates this, dragons can cause sand-bearing winds and rain to fly up, and those who encounter them inevitably perish. Traveling westward in the mountains for more than four hundred li, one reaches the Great Clear Lake (also named the Hot Sea, and also the Salt Sea), which is more than one thousand li in circuit, long from east to west. Mountains surround it on four sides, and travelers pray there for blessings. Going northwest for more than five hundred li, one reaches the city of Suyāb (Suye shui cheng). It is six or seven li in circuit, and Hu merchants live mingled together. Several tens of isolated cities to the west are also like this. Going west for more than four hundred li, one reaches the Thousand Springs (Qianquan). Many springs gush forth, covering an area of more than two hundred li square. To the south are snowy mountains; on the other three sides it opens onto flat land. Going west for one hundred and fifty li, one reaches the city of Taras (Taluosi). Going southwest for more than two hundred li, one reaches Gongjing City. Going south for fifty li, one reaches: