| [Figure] |
TURFAN
Turfan lies in an open, tilled plain. N of the village of Bagra there is a small chain of mountains coming from the E at a distance of 1 1/2-2 miles. SW of the village of Yar smaller mountains from the W at about the same distance. Otherwise the ground is level. There are no marshy places except fields that were recently submerged. Some streams and ariqs intersect the ground, but none are of any great importance. There are no villages, but some areas with scattered houses and a group of houses here and there are given the name of villages. From the village of Seidykhan mazar to the village of Lözium there is a fold in the ground, the S part of which becomes a ravine-like hollow. A stream or river with a great deal of water flows at the bottom of it and on either side there is a like of houses, surrounded by many shady trees. A ravine-like small fold in the ground near Minar metchet and a larger group of houses at the village of Bagra. The high tower of Minar metchet is an excellent landmark. Gaolyan is common in the fields. - The Sart town is surrounded by a poor, neglected wall, 2 1/2 fathoms high, with projections and a well preserved fosse, 2 fathoms wide and equally deep. - The wall of the Chinese town is in good condition, 3 1/2 fathoms high and 19 yds wide in the archway. 3 gates to the W, S and E with semicircular projections of the same height as the well. The inner archway is of baked bricks, the gates of rough timber with iron fittings. Square tower with embrasures for guns are placed on the ramparts behind the crenellated parapet. - Drawn by the author. |
IIIF Color HighRes
