On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c26.s1.7

v2.c26.s1.7

From the capital he proceeded in a north-westerly direction through the provinces of Shen-si and Kan-suh, passing through the towns of Tsin-chau and Lan-chau, and so arriving at Liang-chau, the great mart and meeting-place for merchants and travellers from the west. The pilgrim was occupied for more than a month at Liang-chau, presumably in completing his equipment, and, when ready, advanced, through Kwa-chau, to the frontier. Crossing the Bulunghir (Hu-lu) river, and traversing the Kwan, or barrier, of Yu-mēn (Yuh-mēn), he passed four out of five of a series of frontier watch-towers, separated one from the other by intervals of a hundred li, or about eighteen miles. In pursuance of friendly advice, he avoided the fifth tower, and plunged into the Mo-ho-yen desert,¹ where he barely escaped with his life, having lost his way and been without water for four nights and five days.