Stein's Chinese Exploration Notes

Author: Aurel Stein
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: This book begins at the valley where India and Afghanistan meet, where Greek-style Buddhist art was used for the first time in classical form to depict Hindu deities and scenes. Then, the book takes readers from the snow-capped Hindu Kush mountains to the source of the Amu River on the Roof of the World, the Pamir Plateau, and then to the large basin where the Tarim River flows, eventually disappearing into the marshes of Lop Nur. The Kunlun Mountains surround this basin as well as the southern and western parts of Hetian. During the exploration activities in this region, we deeply felt the harsh environment of the glacier-covered mountains. Next, the book describes a series of exploration activities in the desert far from the modern Hetian oasis, which helps readers understand the ancient ruins and also helps readers understand how harsh the Taklamakan Desert is. There, lack of water often hindered the exploration parties and even endangered lives, with only winter being the only season when exploration activities could be carried out.