On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c23.s22.1

v2.c23.s22.1

The narrative in the Records continues—Going east from this (that is, Nijang) the pilgrim entered the "Great Flowing-Sand". As the sand is in constant motion it is collected and dispersed by the wind. As there are no tracks for travellers many go astray; on every side is a great vast space with nothing to go by, so travellers pile up bones left behind to be marks; there is neither water nor vegetation and there is much hot wind; when the wind blows men and animals lose their senses and become unwell. One constantly hears singing and whistling, and sometimes wailing; while looking and listening one becomes stupified, and consequently there is frequent loss of life, and so these phenomena are caused by demons and sprites. A journey of more than 400 *li* brought the pilgrim to the old country of *Tu-huo-lo* (Tokhara). This country and its cities had long been unoccupied wastes. Going on east from this the pilgrim after a journey of above 600 *li* arrived at *Che-mo-t'o-na* old country, the *Nie-mo* land, with lofty city-walls but without an inhabitant. Then continuing his journey he went north-east for above 1000 *li* and reached the old country of *Na-fo-p'o*, the *Lou-lan* territory.