On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c17.s3.1

v2.c17.s3.1

Continuing his narrative the pilgrim relates that "from this" (that is apparently, from the vicinity of the Embers Tope) he went north-east through a great forest, the road being a narrow dangerous path, with wild oxen and wild elephants, and robbers and hunters always in wait to kill travellers, and emerging from the forest he reached the country of Kou-shih-na-ka-lo (Kuśinagara). The city walls were in ruins, and the towns and villages were deserted. The brick foundations of the "old city" (that is, the city which had been the capital) were above ten *li* in circuit; there were very few inhabitants the interior of the city being a wild waste.