Among the Celestials : vol.1 / Page 201 (Color Image)

0201	Among the Celestials : vol.1

CHAP. vII.]

KARASHAR. 165

apparently not worth cultivating, as we only

passed one small hamlet.

On July 24 we reached Karashar, which,

like all towns hereabouts, is surrounded by a

mud wall, and the gateways surmounted by the

usual pagoda-shaped towers.

We had to make a half-halt here, to dry

things which had been wetted in the rivers.

I went for a stroll round the place. Outside of

the walled city there are two streets running

down to the Karashar river, which is rather

more than half a mile from the walls. Near

the river were some encampments of Kalmaks

who were very like Mongols, living in yurts,

dressed as other Mongols, and wearing pig-

tails, the round coloured caps with a tassel,

and long coats. They are easily distinguish-

able from both Chinese and Turks. I ques-

tioned several people about the different races

of this part of Turkestan, and was told that

there were three different races the Kitai

(Chinese), Tungani, and Turks, and here at

Karashar were a few Kalmaks. The Turks

do not appear to be divided into tribes, but

are called by the town they belong to. The

Chinese call them Chan-teu (turban-wearers).

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