Katahc, which is 100 miles distant from Begin., is a large town, which is three miles in circumference, and contains a great popula tion, of which 6000 are Turks. The mountains north of the town contain several mines, from which copper, saltpetre, sulphur, and sal ammoniac, are obtained. At this town begins the road which leads across the Thian Shim Mountains to Kuldaha iu Ili, by the mountain pass called 3luesur Dabahu. Before it reaches the mountain pass, it runs through the town of Sailint, which is built in an elevated valley, and near some mines. South-west of Kutshe is the town of Shayar, in a district producing abundance of rice, melons, and fruit. It coutaios a population of 4000 individuals.
lo the valley of the Akin Dana are the towns of Alum and Held. Akre is a large commercial and manufacturing town, which contains about 0000 houses. It is not fortified. Its commercial importance is derived from its situation at the junction of the road from Kuldsha in Songaria with the great western caravan route. Its manufactures are numerous, especially those of cotton-stuffs, and a kind of stuff, half silk and half cotton, deer-leather, harness and saddles (which are embossed with great art). There are also some potteries, and many persons are employed in cutting and polishing precious stoues. The Chinese garrison, consisting of 3000 men, inhabits a separate quarter of the town. Ushi, which lies higher up in the valley of the Alien Dana, is built in the centre of an extensive country of great fertility, and is stated to contain 10,000 families. This place appears to carry on a considerable commerce.
The town of A'ashgar is situated in the north-western angle of Thian Shan Nanlu, and at the commencement of the mountain road which leads to Ferghana and the towns of Khokaod and Tashkend. At this place also begins the other caravan-road, which, passing along the eastern declivity of the Tartashling, leads over the Karakorum Pass to Leh, Gertope, and Cashmir. Besides these two lines of com munication and the great caravan-road to China, a fourth road, corn menciog at Kashgir, runs north-east over the Thian Shau Mountains by the Jtowat Pass, to Kuldsha and the banks of the Irtish. These roads concentrating at Kaahgar render it one of the most commercial towns in the interior of Asia. It is said to contain 15,000 houses, and a population of 80,000. All pardons who are of Turkish origin have free access to the town; but the entry of Europeans is prevented by the Chinese authorities. In the middle of the towu is a largo square, from which four extensive bazaars branch oft The Chinese garrison consists of 8000 men, who are stationed here to repress any invasion from the side of Khokand, and are quartered in a strong fortress. The manufactures aro silk-stutla, as satin, damask, cottons, tte. The jewellers are very expert iu cutting the yew and iu working gold. Kashgar suffered much by the invasion and rebellion of the Kodjas (1827). South-west of Kashgar is the important town of Task balig, ou the banks of the Yamau-yar River. On the road leading from Kaahgar to Yarkiang is Yengi hisser, a place of considerable extent.
larkiang, or Thekand, may be considered the capital of Thian Shan Nanlu, as the Chinese military governor generally resides here.
The city or fortress is surrounded by a high wall of stone, and is more than three miles in circumference. Numerous suburbs lie round it. In the fortress a garrison of 7000 glen is kept. The houses are mostly built of sun-dried bricks. The river Yarkiaug Dana is divided into two arms, and by canals from them the streets are supplied with water. There are numerous public buildings, espe cially mosques and medrassea, or colleges. There arc two large bazaars, one in the city and the other in the suburbs, which are more than three miles long. Most of the shopkeepers are Chinese. The country the town supplies it with three important articles of commerce, silk, fine wool, and small Kirghis horses. The com merce with the countries north of Hindustan and with Tibet is very considerable. There are several kinds of manufactures. The number of inhabitants who pay capitation-tax is stated to be between 30,000 and 40,000, which would 'give a population of between 180,000 and 240,000. Many foreigners are settled in this place.
Khotan appears to have been formerly the name of the town which at present is called Ilitai or Eelchi, whilst the name of Khotan is applied to the country which extends along the northern base of the Thsungling. This country contains 700,000 persons who pay capita tion-tax, which would give a population of 3,500,000. This is by far tho most populous and important part of Thian Shan Naulu. A large number of the inhabitants aro Buddhists. The town of /Wei is large and populous, and is of commercial importance. The eastern road passes from Ilitai to Keriya, and Tibet. The western road joins the great caravan-road which leads from Yarkiang to Leh and Cashmir. The principal articles which the country supplies for exportation are the yew-stone and silk, the last of which is prodneed In large quantities. Silk- and cotton-stuffs are made to a great extent, and there are glass-houses. Every week a fair is held, which is sometimes attended by 20,000 persons. Horses are exportel in great numbers. Near the town of Keriya through which the road passes to Tibet, are gold-mines. The articles which are sent from Yarkiang to Cashmir are silver, goats' and sheep's wool, Ituesia leather, embroideries of gold and silver, rice, and some articles of Chinese manufacture; there are taken in return shawls of different quilitien, cotton-stuffs, sheep- and goat-skins, and some minor articles. A caravan goes annually from Yarkiang to Badakehan, which carries a huge quantity of tea and some silver, and brings back slaves and precions stones, especially rubies. The articles exported to Khokand are silver, china ware, tea in boxes, and pressed tea. The imports from Khokand are raw silk and different kinds of cotton-stuffs. The commerce of Yarkiang with the northern provinces of China is very active. The nrtleles sent to China are raw silk, great numbers of hones, and cattle, the yew and other precious stones, and some dyeing stuffs; in rctnrn there are sent to Yarkiang tea, chinaware, and several manufactured articles.