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TOPOGRAPHY. 87
its eastern extremity without plunging into the desert. Hence the paramount
importance of the Hami-Barkul route.
To Pijan and Turfan correspond Guchen and Zimsa. But here the Tian-shan
has already branched off into two parallel chains, while the general elevation is
such as to prevent easy communication from slope to slope. In the amphitheatre
of hills developed still farther west lies the famous city of TJrumtsi (Umritsi), the
Tihoa-chew of the Chinese, or the Hun-miao ; that is, the " Red Temple," founded
in the Han dvnasty. This was the Bishbalik of the Mongols and Tatars, which
enjoyed great importance at different epochs, and which, thanks to its happy
situation, has always rapidly recovered after every fresh disaster. As capital of
Fig. 34. URUMTSI, TUKFAN, AND SUHKOUNDINO MOUNTAINS.
From Sketch by Venyukov. Scale 1 : 2,500.000.
89 EoFG
the Uigurs, it was the residence of princes who ruled on both sides of the Tian-
shan over a vast domain designated, like the chief town, by the name of Bishbalik,
or " Pentapolis." Here may have reigned one of the sovereigns known in Europe
as " Prester John." In the last century the place was very populous, and took the
foremost rank amongst the Chinese colonies of Northern Kansu. It was said to
have had 200,000 inhabitants ; but all were butchered by the Dungans, who were
afterwards butchered in their turn. Urumtsi consists of two distinct quarters, the
old town occupied by the traders, and the new or Manchu town. Notwithstanding
its disasters, it docs a considrnililo trade at present with Russia through the town
of Chuguchak, and with Turkestan and China through the basin of an old lake, the
centre of which is occupied by the town of Daban-shan. Like Turfan, Urumtsi
Miles.