The Rashīdī History 187.6

187.6

Of these four boundaries I have seen the southern. From Tashkand to Andijan is ten days' journey; from Andiján to Káshghar, twenty days; from there to Aksu, fifteen days; from Aksu to Chalish, twenty days; from Chalish to Turfán, ten days; from Turfan to Baris Kul, fifteen days; and Báris Kul is the eastern boundary of Moghulistán. [The whole of the southern boundary] is about three months' march at a medium pace, for it is ninety stages. I have never visited the other three boundaries, but I have learned [something] about them from the descriptions of persons who have travelled in those quarters. The greater part of this country, which is seven or eight months' journey [in circuit], is mountain or desert, and is very beautiful and pleasant—so much so, that I am incapable of describing it in words. On the mountains and in the plains, grow numberless flowers, whose names no one knows; they are not to be met with outside Moghulistán, nor can they possibly be described. The summer is, in most parts, quite temperate, so that if a single tunic [yaktáí] be worn, no other covering is required, though even if more be worn, the heat does not make one uncomfortable. However, in some parts of the country, the temperature inclines to be cold.