The Rashīdī History 212.1

212.1

Tibet is a long [and narrow] country. From Bikan Bain, which means "between the north and the west," towards Bakani, which is "between the south and the east," is eight months' journey. Its breadth is [nowhere] more than one month's journey, nor less than ten days. Its frontier on the side of Bikan Bain, adjoins Baluristan (as was stated above, in the description of Balur); that on the Bakani side, touches Huchu Salar, which is a dependency of [what is called] Kanjanfu of Khitai. In the description of the mountains of Moghulistan and Kashghar, it was stated that the principal range in Moghulistan, from which all the other hills branch out, passes the north of Kashghar, runs towards the west, and continues to the south of Kashghar. It was also mentioned that the province of Farghana lies to the west of Kashghar, this range running between. [This part of the range] which lies between Kashghar and Farghana is called Alai.