CHAP. VIII.] VISIT TO LIU-KIN-TANG'S TEMPLE 133
which my subsequent observations on the site of the ancient capital of Khotan clearly demonstrated. Of a similar though smaller Stupa mound, a mile and a half to the south of the city, no details need be given here. Nor is it possible to find space for descriptions of more modern places of interest which I visited in the environs. But I may, perhaps, make an exception in the case of my visit to the " New City," the Chinese cantonment of Kashgar, of which I here give my impressions such as my diary records them.
Mr. i\7acartney wished to return the call of the Chu-kuan's or City Prefect's chief assistant, and I myself wanted to profit by the occasion to do some " shopping " in things Chinese. The day «•as gloriously clear and yet comparatively cool. So our ride of some eight miles along the broad, well-shaded road which connects the two cities, was enjoyable even though the sun still stood high. The branch of the Kizil-sn, which is crossed about midway, was full of reddish-brown water, a sign that the heavy rain of a few days before had left its mark in the mountains. Close to the north-west corner of the " New City," and not far to the left of the road, rises a stately complex of buildings, the Chinese temple consecrated to the memory of Liu-Kin-tang, the great general who, after Yaqub Reg's death in 1877, reconquered Turkestan. To this we rode first.
The temple stands in the midst of a large and well-kept arbour of poplars, and already its outer court showed, by its clean appearance and the evident care bestowed on repairs, that the means are not wanting to maintain worthily the memory of this modern hero of Chinese power in the " New Dominions." This is fully accounted for by the fact that ever since the reconquest the general's relatives have exercised a preferential claim to all the best appointments in the Province. Through a high gateway decorated with wonderful stucco volutes we entered the second court. Adjoining the gateway and facing towards the innermost court, is a fine
IIIF Color HighRes
