On March 28th, 1900, the Swedish explorer Sven Hedin completed his expedition west of Lop Nur and began his return journey. It was then that he and his Uyghur guide, Ardyk, realized a shovel intended for their survey had been left behind at the camp. Ardyk returned to the site, but was caught in a sudden storm, losing his bearings. Amidst his confusion, he accidentally stumbled upon an ancient city, where he discovered numerous artifacts, intricately carved wooden tablets, and ancient bronze coins. Sven Hedin was overcome with joy at Ardyk’s findings. In 1903, Hedin finally entered the ancient city himself and unearthed a vast quantity of relics. Upon returning home, he announced to the world that he had discovered the famous city of Loulan, chronicled in Chinese historical texts. His discovery stunned the globe. From that moment on, the critically important Xinjiang historical site of Loulan became a powerful magnet drawing the gaze of the entire world. The Loulan Ancient City sits in the northwest corner of Lop Nur; it was the hub of Western Regions transportation during the Han and Tang Dynasties, holding an exceptionally crucial position on the ancient Silk Road. Chinese silk and tea, and Western Regions horses, grapes, and jewels, were first traded through Loulan. Many caravans passing through would pause here for temporary rest. At that time, Loulan was a continuous stretch of shops, Buddhist temples thick with incense smoke, and a constant flow of envoys, merchants, monks, and travelers from all nations, where numerous languages and scripts were exchanged. The Kingdom of Loulan was established before 176 BCE and perished around the 4th century CE. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the explorer Zhang Qian brought back initial information concerning Loulan. The Records of the Grand Historian: Account of Dayuan stated: “Loulan and Gushi possess walled cities, situated by the Salt Marsh.” This confirms that Loulan was already a “kingdom of walled cities” by the 2nd century BCE. Zhang Qian’s two missions to the Western Regions opened the passage between East and West, while the contest between the Han Dynasty and the powerful Xiongnu for control over the Western Regions intensified. In 108 BCE, the Han general Wang Hui conquered Loulan. After several large-scale military campaigns, the Han Dynasty gained complete control over the Western Regions, simultaneously opening the East-West trade route—the Silk Road. The inauguration of the Silk Road spurred prosperity and development in both Eastern and Western communications and the silk trade, stimulating the economy of the Loulan Kingdom, which sat at this crucial juncture. In its prime, the Kingdom of Loulan stretched from Guyang Pass in the east to the banks of the Niya River in the west, south to the Altyn Tagh mountains, and north toward Hami. The Loulan Ancient City was the political, economic, and cultural center of the entire kingdom. Yet, by the 4th century, Loulan vanished abruptly from the world. The area around the Loulan Ancient City was described as having “no birds above, no beasts below; gazing across the desolate vista, one knew not where to proceed, marked only by the bleached bones of the dead.” The once-flourishing Loulan civilization disappeared with the passing years for reasons unknown. Researchers from various disciplines offer explanations based on their own perspectives: some attribute it to the desiccation of Lop Nur, environmental changes, or the rerouting of rivers. Others suggest it was caused by unreasonable water diversion and storage upstream on the Peacock River. Still others cite the redirection of the Silk Road or incursions by foreign tribes, and so forth; the list is endless. So, which explanation comes closer to historical reality? Twenty-two years ago, archaeologists discovered a mysterious tomb dating back 3,800 years belonging to the “Loulan Kingdom,” several miles from the Peacock River. This burial had been constructed at the expense of a vast number of trees. Entering it revealed concentric circles bordered by seven layers of Populus euphratica wooden stakes, the timbers over 30 centimeters thick. Viewed from a distance, the entire burial site resembled an ancient, weathered sun embedded in the barren Gobi. For this reason, it became known as the “Sun Tomb.” Investigation revealed that the stakes served to stabilize the sand and reinforce the structure; without them, excavating a pit over two meters deep in the sandy soil would have been extremely difficult. But why adopt such a specific form and pattern for sand stabilization? What meaning did it signify? Was it “sun worship”? If so, why were the interred laid supine with limbs straight and facing west, rather than east? Did the “Loulan Kingdom” collapse due to the extensive logging required to build these massive “Sun Tombs”? Why did the ancestors of the “Loulan Kingdom” construct such strikingly solar-shaped tombs in the desert? What meaning did they truly represent? Sven Hedin believed the city he discovered was the capital of the Loulan Kingdom, a view largely accepted by most scholars and experts, though dissenting opinions persist to this day. So, is this site truly Loulan? In the tomb designated Lop Nur Area Tielbanhe No. 1 (LOTM1), a perfectly preserved female mummy was discovered. With delicate features, eyes softly closed, she was identified as Caucasian and hailed as the “Loulan Beauty.” When did her ancestors migrate here, and from where? This leads to further questions: were Loulan’s kings, from Sēmo-na (Han name Yuan Meng) to the King of Shanshan, Wēitú Jī, purely Caucasian or of mixed Yellow and White ancestry? If Caucasian, which ethnicity were they? If mixed, which two groups interbred? What ethnicities comprised the residents of Loulan? Which was the dominant group?……In 1979, an expedition team from the Xinjiang Institute of Archaeology discovered strangely shaped ancient tombs east of Lop Nur. Some of the deceased wore complete clothing, including pointed felt caps adorned with several strands of cord at the apex. This bizarre attire astonished the archaeologists. Careful measurement revealed these individuals belonged to the “deep-eyed, high-nosed” ancient European racial group, closely resembling modern Northern Europeans. Their skulls could be divided into two sets: one group closely related to the Bronze Age Andronovo culture of Southern Siberia and the Altai region; the other group resembled the even older Afanasievo culture. In essence, two distinct groups of Europeans were buried in the same location. Later, archaeologists found five remains of the European race in the Eastern Han tombs on the eastern outskirts of the Loulan Ancient City. Based on tests of Loulan inhabitants’ hair composition, some speculate these people may have been related to ethnic groups from the Eastern Mediterranean. In conclusion, if the Loulan Kingdom was a state of vastly complex ethnic composition, who exactly were these ancient Europeans? For what purpose did they travel thousands of miles to Loulan? And where did they go afterward? Facing Loulan, Sven Hedin posed a bewildered question to himself: “I wonder why Sweden does not possess a single stone as old as the wooden slips and scraps of paper I found in Loulan?” Loulan, an eternal enigma awaiting decipherment.

The Mystery of Shifting Water: Early foreign and Chinese scientists who explored Xinjiang once argued endlessly about the precise location of Lop Nur, but the issue was never settled. Instead, it gave rise to the far more vehement “Lop Nur Shifting Theory.” This theory was proposed by the Swedish explorer Sven Hedin, who hypothesized that Lop Nur possessed northern and southern lake basins. Due to the heavy sediment carried by inflowing rivers, the lakebed gradually rose; consequently, the water naturally flowed to another, lower area. After many years, the raised lakebed would erode again due to wind deflation, causing the water to flow back. He calculated this cycle to be approximately 1,500 years. Although Hedin’s hypothesis was widely accepted globally for a time, numerous opponents questioned and opposed it. In recent years, Chinese scientists, based on their own expeditions to Lop Nur, have also raised doubts and rejected the Shifting Lop Nur theory. Nevertheless, the debate surrounding this issue only renders the spectral lake of Lop Nur even more enigmatic. The Mystery of the Big Ear: While arguments raged over Lop Nur’s unresolved puzzles, one controversy gave way to another. In July 1972, a photograph of Lop Nur taken by the Earth Resources Satellite launched by NASA revealed the lake basin strikingly resembled a human ear—complete with the helix, the ear canal, and even the earlobe. How did this “Ear of the Earth” form? One viewpoint suggests it was primarily sculpted by floods from the southern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains in the late 1950s. As the floodwaters poured into the basin, they swept through the desert, carrying vast amounts of silt, which impacted and eroded the original dry lakebed, forming annular ridges protruding underwater in the direction of flow. Precisely because these subtle geomorphological changes on the dried lakebed affected the composition of local materials, they inevitably influenced the spectral characteristics of the dried lakebed, thus creating the “Big Ear.” However, others hold differing opinions, and scientists continue to debate vociferously; perhaps the arguments surrounding Lop Nur will never cease. The Eerie Mystery: To uncover the true nature of Lop Nur, countless explorers throughout history have braved death to venture deep within its confines, resulting in many tragic stories that further cloak Lop Nur in mystery. Some call the Lop Nur region the “Devil’s Triangle” of the Asian continent, through which the ancient Silk Road passed. Ghosts and lost souls are said to roam here across the ages, with skeletons scattered everywhere. The Venerable Monk Faxian of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, passing through on his journey west for scriptures, wrote of the “sandy rivers filled with malevolent spirits and hot winds; those encountered perish, none surviving…” Many people have perished of thirst within sight of water, and inexplicable events occur with alarming frequency. In 1949, an airplane flying from Chongqing to Dihua (Urumqi) vanished over Shanshan County. In 1958, it was found in eastern Lop Nur; all personnel aboard were dead. The puzzling aspect remains: the plane was heading northwest; why did it suddenly alter course due south? In 1950, a guard from a PLA bandit suppression unit disappeared. Over thirty years later, his remains were discovered by a geological team near Hongliugou on the southern shore of Lop Nur, over a hundred kilometers from the accident site. On June 17, 1980, the renowned scientist Peng Jiamu disappeared while conducting research in Lop Nur. The state deployed aircraft, military personnel, and search dogs, expending vast resources in a grid search, yet found absolutely nothing. In 1990, seven people from Hami set off in a small cargo van to search for crystal mines in Lop Nur and never returned. Two years later, three desiccated bodies were found lying at the foot of a steep slope. The vehicle was located thirty kilometers away from the deceased; the whereabouts of the others remain unknown. In the summer of 1995, three employees from the Milan Farm set out in a Beijing Jeep to seek treasure in Lop Nur and vanished. Later explorers found the bodies of two of them 17 kilometers from Loulan; the cause of death was unclear, and the third person’s fate is unknown. Incredibly, their vehicle was intact, with ample water and gasoline remaining. In June 1996, the Chinese explorer Yu Chunshun disappeared while attempting a solo trek through Lop Nur. When a helicopter finally discovered his body, the medical examiner determined he had been dead for five days; it was neither suicide nor murder. What caused the death of such a strong, healthy man? Lop Nur, a world of riddles, a mysterious wilderness that has bewildered, occupied the thoughts of, sparked debates among, and even claimed the lives of people for centuries. Lop Nur, when will humanity finally unveil your mysterious veil?

The Ruins of Niya Ancient City: At the turn of the last century, the Englishman Sir Aurel Stein discovered the ruins of an ancient city on the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, along the banks of the Niya River. From this site, he excavated over twelve large chests filled with precious artifacts sealed for a millennium. When these items were brought back to Britain, they greatly astonished Western scholars; this site became known as the Niya Ruins, the “Pompeii of the East.” During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the famous general Ban Chao, in his efforts to resist the Xiongnu and stabilize the Western Regions, stationed troops there for decades. Utilizing his exceptional political, military, and diplomatic acumen, he united the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions against Xiongnu aggression, maintaining dominance for decades and leaving behind the immortal tale of “casting aside his writing brush to join the army.” Some propose that the Niya Ruins discovered by Stein were, in fact, Jingjue, one of the thirty-six kingdoms mentioned in Chinese historical records. According to the Book of Han: Western Regions Biography, the Kingdom of Jingjue was situated beneath the Kunlun Mountains, on the southern fringe of the Taklamakan Desert, subject to the administration of the Han Dynasty’s Protectorate of the Western Regions, with its king commanding generals, commandants, and postmasters. Although Jingjue was a small state, its geographical location was paramount, sitting at the throat of the Silk Road. Historical texts describe the environment of Jingjue as: “The marshland is hot and humid, difficult to traverse; reeds are dense, leaving no path.” These few sparse sentences clearly indicate that Jingjue was once an oasis. After the 3rd century CE, Jingjue suddenly vanished. Stein’s discovery brought Jingjue back into the light. But how did Jingjue disappear from history? Why was it buried beneath rolling yellow sands? Why did a vibrant oasis transform into a desolate ruin? Historians remain perplexed and locked in debate over these matters. Many believe that Niya was abandoned and swallowed by the sands because the Niya people extensively felled trees, devastating the ecology. This led to the exhaustion of water sources, rampant wind erosion, the disappearance of the oasis, and its ultimate submersion beneath the vast desert. Many others express doubt and disagreement with this view. To solve this perennial mystery, in October 1995, Chinese and Japanese archaeologists ventured deep into the Taklamakan Desert to begin a large-scale scientific survey of the Niya Ruins. This excavation yielded the most abundant results of any in nearly a century and was named one of the “Top Ten National Archaeological Discoveries of ’95.” The sheer volume and remarkable preservation of the excavated artifacts stunned the archaeological communities in China and worldwide. The discoveries of highest archaeological value included numerous well-preserved, distinctly patterned brocades and wooden documents inscribed with Kharosthi script. Among these, the “Five Stars Rise in the East, Benefit China” brocade was particularly noteworthy—thick in texture, with magnificent and fluid patterns, and vivid colors, rarely seen elsewhere. The abundance of Kharosthi documents also sent archaeologists into raptures. Kharosthi script originated in ancient Gandhara; it was the writing system used during the reign of Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BCE, fully known as “Kharosthi Script.” It was first used in northwestern India and present-day Pakistan, spreading widely across Central Asia in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE. By the mid-4th century CE, with the fall of the Kushan Dynasty, Kharosthi script also disappeared. By the end of the 18th century, it had become an undecipherable dead language until its mysteries were finally unlocked by the British scholar Prinsep in 1837. The crucial question remains: why did Kharosthi suddenly become popular in a foreign land when it had already vanished from its land of origin, India, by the 3rd century CE? This truly baffles historians. Most alluring, naturally, was the content of the Kharosthi documents. Upon decipherment, they revealed that the Niya Kingdom had long suffered threats and invasions from the SUPIS people originating in the southwest. It can be said that the Niya Kingdom spent its final days burdened by the premonition of impending disaster. The texts indicate that the SUPIS threat and subsequent invasion deepened step by step, for example: “The threat of the SUPIS people is extremely worrying; we will carry out a census of the city’s inhabitants”; “Important news has just arrived concerning the SUPIS attack”: “News from Qiemo suggests danger from the SUPIS people… Soldiers must be dispatched, no matter how few”; and “The SUPIS people stole horses from that place”: “The SUPIS people carried off the slaves of that [noble] Bodhisattvara.” Archaeologists gazed upon the ruins, undisturbed for 1,600 years, and saw piles of corpses surrounding the residences, various relics scattered inside, doors ajar or half-closed. The pottery jars used to store Kharosthi script were still sealed and unread; the storeroom still held large quantities of food, and even a strand of silk thread remained on a spinning wheel. All this seems to tell a story: after enduring prolonged invasion threats, the Niya Kingdom suffered a devastating, fatal blow, seemingly without even time to leave a final written record. Towards the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Han imperial power waned, and Eastern Han garrisons were withdrawn from the Western Regions. The Central Plains descended into long periods of division and warfare, creating a political vacuum in the Western Regions where various states engaged in ruthless struggles for survival. The weak Niya Kingdom was ultimately submerged in this bloody melee, while the “Five Stars Rise in the East, Benefit China” brocade betrayed the Niya people’s yearning for peace under the Chinese sphere, causing modern viewers to sigh with regret over Niya’s fate when beholding this thousand-year-old textile. However, no historical record mentions the SUPIS people. Who were these fierce, warlike, and aggressively expansionist people? What became of the descendants of the Niya Kingdom? These unresolved mysteries vex historians, and the final destiny of the Niya Kingdom evokes deep lamentation.

The Mystery of the Kanas Lake Monster: “Kanas” means “Lake in the Valley” in Mongolian. Kanas Lake sits at an altitude of 1,374 meters, stretching 24 kilometers from north to south, averaging about 1.9 kilometers in width. Its deepest point reaches 188.5 meters, covering an area of 45.73 square kilometers. The total area of the Natural Landscape Reserve is 5,588 square kilometers. Kanas Lake is encircled by towering snow-capped peaks, sloping green hills covered in dark forests, vibrant flowers, and butterflies. The scenery of the lake and mountains is breathtakingly beautiful. This area is China’s only distribution zone for flora and fauna of the South Siberian region, home to precious tree species such as larch, Korean pine, spruce, and fir, along with numerous birch forests. There are 798 known species belonging to 298 genera across 83 families. The fauna includes 39 species of mammals, 117 species of birds, 4 species of amphibians and reptiles, 7 species of fish in the lake, and over 300 species of insects. Many species of plants, flowers, birds, and beasts are unique to Xinjiang, if not the entire nation. The area features alternating stretches of forest and grassland, numerous rivers and lakes, and brilliant natural scenery, possessing immense value for tourism, nature conservation, scientific research, and historical culture. The local area known as Kazang Lake, or “Pot Bottom Lake,” gets its name from its shape resembling the bottom of a cooking pot. Wolong Bay (Crouching Dragon Bay) is located about 140 kilometers from the county seat and 10 kilometers from Kanas, along the route from Burqin County to Kanas. The lake is surrounded by dense forests, a tapestry of blooming flowers and lush green grass. The small islands within the lake offer beautiful scenery, and where the lake water feeds the river, massive stones obstruct the current, causing waves to crash against them, sending jade-like spray flying. A wooden bridge spans east to west at the lake’s outlet; standing on the bridge looking north reveals the mirror-smooth Wolong Bay, while looking south reveals the roaring, surging Kanas River. About one kilometer upstream along the Kanas River from Wolong Bay, you will find a crescent-shaped, blue bay nestled in the gorge: this is Moon Bay. Moon Bay changes appearance with fluctuations in Kanas Lake water level; it is a jewel set into the Kanas River. Legend says that the footprints left by Chang’e during her flight to the moon are visible in the lake. The beautiful and serene Moon Bay is considered the iconic sight of Kanas. Beware, though—it is rumored that the lake harbors a “lake monster”: a giant Taimen salmon!

The Ruins of Niya Ancient City: At the dawn of this century, the Englishman Sir Aurel Stein discovered the ruins of an ancient city on the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, along the banks of the Niya River. From this site, he excavated over twelve large chests filled with precious artifacts sealed for a millennium. When these items were brought back to Britain, they greatly astonished Western scholars; this site became known as the Niya Ruins, the “Pompeii of the East.” During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the famous general Ban Chao, in his efforts to resist the Xiongnu and stabilize the Western Regions, stationed troops there for decades. Utilizing his exceptional political, military, and diplomatic acumen, he united the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions against Xiongnu aggression, maintaining dominance for decades and leaving behind the immortal tale of “casting aside his writing brush to join the army.” Some propose that the Niya Ruins discovered by Stein were, in fact, Jingjue, one of the thirty-six kingdoms mentioned in Chinese historical records. According to the Book of Han: Western Regions Biography, the Kingdom of Jingjue was situated beneath the Kunlun Mountains, on the southern fringe of the Taklamakan Desert, subject to the administration of the Han Dynasty’s Protectorate of the Western Regions, with its king commanding generals, commandants, and postmasters. Although Jingjue was a small state, its geographical location was paramount, sitting at the throat of the Silk Road. Historical texts describe the environment of Jingjue as: “The marshland is hot and humid, difficult to traverse; reeds are dense, leaving no path.” These few sparse sentences clearly indicate that Jingjue was once an oasis. After the 3rd century CE, Jingjue suddenly vanished. Stein’s discovery brought Jingjue back into the light. But how did Jingjue disappear from history? Why was it buried beneath rolling yellow sands? Why did a vibrant oasis transform into a desolate ruin? Historians remain perplexed and locked in debate over these matters. Many believe that Niya was abandoned and swallowed by the sands because the Niya people extensively felled trees, devastating the ecology. This led to the exhaustion of water sources, rampant wind erosion, the disappearance of the oasis, and its ultimate submersion beneath the vast desert. Many others express doubt and disagreement with this view. To solve this perennial mystery, in October 1995, Chinese and Japanese archaeologists ventured deep into the Taklamakan Desert to begin a large-scale scientific survey of the Niya Ruins. This excavation yielded the most abundant results of any in nearly a century and was named one of the “Top Ten National Archaeological Discoveries of ’95.” The sheer volume and remarkable preservation of the excavated artifacts stunned the archaeological communities in China and worldwide. The discoveries of highest archaeological value included numerous well-preserved, distinctly patterned brocades and wooden documents inscribed with Kharosthi script. Among these, the “Five Stars Rise in the East, Benefit China” brocade was particularly noteworthy—thick in texture, with magnificent and fluid patterns, and vivid colors, rarely seen elsewhere. The abundance of Kharosthi documents also sent archaeologists into raptures. Kharosthi script originated in ancient Gandhara; it was the writing system used during the reign of Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BCE, fully known as “Kharosthi Script.” It was first used in northwestern India and present-day Pakistan, spreading widely across Central Asia in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE. By the mid-4th century CE, with the fall of the Kushan Dynasty, Kharosthi script also disappeared. By the end of the 18th century, it had become an undecipherable dead language until its mysteries were finally unlocked by the British scholar Prinsep in 1837. The crucial question remains: why did Kharosthi suddenly become popular in a foreign land when it had already vanished from its land of origin, India, by the 3rd century CE? This truly baffles historians. Most alluring, naturally, was the content of the Kharosthi documents. Upon decipherment, they revealed that the Niya Kingdom had long suffered threats and invasions from the SUPIS people originating in the southwest. It can be said that the Niya Kingdom spent its final days burdened by the premonition of impending disaster. The texts indicate that the SUPIS threat and subsequent invasion deepened step by step, for example: “The threat of the SUPIS people is extremely worrying; we will carry out a census of the city’s inhabitants”; “Important news has just arrived concerning the SUPIS attack”: “News from Qiemo suggests danger from the SUPIS people… Soldiers must be dispatched, no matter how few”; and “The SUPIS people stole horses from that place”: “The SUPIS people carried off the slaves of that [noble] Bodhisattvara.” Archaeologists gazed upon the ruins, undisturbed for 1,600 years, and saw piles of corpses surrounding the residences, various relics scattered inside, doors ajar or half-closed. The pottery jars used to store Kharosthi script were still sealed and unread; the storeroom still held large quantities of food, and even a strand of silk thread remained on a spinning wheel. All this seems to tell a story: after enduring prolonged invasion threats, the Niya Kingdom suffered a devastating, fatal blow, seemingly without even time to leave a final written record. Towards the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Han imperial power waned, and Eastern Han garrisons were withdrawn from the Western Regions. The Central Plains descended into long periods of division and warfare, creating a political vacuum in the Western Regions where various states engaged in ruthless struggles for survival. The weak Niya Kingdom was ultimately submerged in this bloody melee, while the “Five Stars Rise in the East, Benefit China” brocade betrayed the Niya people’s yearning for peace under the Chinese sphere, causing modern viewers to sigh with regret over Niya’s fate when beholding this thousand-year-old textile. However, no historical record mentions the SUPIS people. Who were these fierce, warlike, and aggressively expansionist people? What became of the descendants of the Niya Kingdom? These unresolved mysteries vex historians, and the final destiny of the Niya Kingdom evokes deep lamentation.

The Mystery of the Kanas Lake Monster: “Kanas” means “Lake in the Valley” in Mongolian. Kanas Lake sits at an altitude of 1,374 meters, stretching 24 kilometers from north to south, averaging about 1.9 kilometers in width. Its deepest point reaches 188.5 meters, covering an area of 45.73 square kilometers. The total area of the Natural Landscape Reserve is 5,588 square kilometers. Kanas Lake is encircled by towering snow-capped peaks, sloping green hills covered in dark forests, vibrant flowers, and butterflies. The scenery of the lake and mountains is breathtakingly beautiful. This area is China’s only distribution zone for flora and fauna of the South Siberian region, home to precious tree species such as larch, Korean pine, spruce, and fir, along with numerous birch forests. There are 798 known species belonging to 298 genera across 83 families. The fauna includes 39 species of mammals, 117 species of birds, 4 species of amphibians and reptiles, 7 species of fish in the lake, and over 300 species of insects. Many species of plants, flowers, birds, and beasts are unique to Xinjiang, if not the entire nation. The area features alternating stretches of forest and grassland, numerous rivers and lakes, and brilliant natural scenery, possessing immense value for tourism, nature conservation, scientific research, and historical culture. The local area known as Kazang Lake, or “Pot Bottom Lake,” gets its name from its shape resembling the bottom of a cooking pot. Wolong Bay (Crouching Dragon Bay) is located about 140 kilometers from the county seat and 10 kilometers from Kanas, along the route from Burqin County to Kanas. The lake is surrounded by dense forests, a tapestry of blooming flowers and lush green grass. The small islands within the lake offer beautiful scenery, and where the lake water feeds the river, massive stones obstruct the current, causing waves to crash against them, sending jade-like spray flying. A wooden bridge spans east to west at the lake’s outlet; standing on the bridge looking north reveals the mirror-smooth Wolong Bay, while looking south reveals the roaring, surging Kanas River. About one kilometer upstream along the Kanas River from Wolong Bay, you will find a crescent-shaped, blue bay nestled in the gorge: this is Moon Bay. Moon Bay changes appearance with fluctuations in Kanas Lake water level; it is a jewel set into the Kanas River. Legend says that the footprints left by Chang’e during her flight to the moon are visible in the lake. The beautiful and serene Moon Bay is considered the iconic sight of Kanas. Beware, though—it is rumored that the lake harbors a “lake monster”: a giant Taimen salmon!

In earlier archaeological cultures, a significant component involved the rock carvings distributed across the Tian Shan, Altai, Alkin, and Kunlun Mountains, largely representing vestiges of ancient nomadic cultures. The rock art unearthed in Xinjiang comprises two categories: incised carvings and polychrome paintings, primarily found in high-altitude pastures, middle-to-low mountain ranges, and along the seasonal migration routes of herders. Some discoveries have also been made in river valley areas. Most of these carvings are chiseled onto the surfaces of black sandstone, granite, and slate, with the rock faces generally facing east toward the sun. The artwork employs deeply etched, coarse lines. The painted rock art is mainly discovered within caves, generally utilizing mineral pigments of earthy colors—vermilion, or black and white paints. The themes depicted in the rock art include: 1. Animal figures, the most common being cattle, horses, sheep, and deer, alongside dogs, bears, and camels. For instance, the rock art at Gan'gou in Huocheng County features one stone slab engraved with seventeen sheep and goats of varying shapes, all possessing large heads. One particularly large goat has long horns, one curving backward and the other projecting forward; it is depicted lifting its head with startling alertness, gazing ahead. The rough-hewn lines vividly sketch a scene of life on the steppe. 2. Hunting scenes, frequently showing figures holding bows and arrows aimed at prey. A hunting tableau from Lake Sa’erqiao illustrates a hunter, hands bent forward gripping the bowstring; his arrow has already struck a black bear, which is depicted struggling in flight while the hunter relentlessly pursues it. The figures in the scene are sharply rendered, and their expressions are lifelike. 3. Herding scenes, found in areas of Northern Xinjiang such as Yumin, Fuyun, and Habahe. A rock painting discovered in Habahe County shows numerous wild goats, along with deer and camels, moving slowly at different sizes. A hunting dog trails behind the herd. Two herders, one positioned higher and one lower, walk among the livestock. The upper figure wields a long whip, while the lower one appears to wear a pointed hat, spreading both hands in a driving gesture. The scene is vibrant and lively, reflecting the realities of nomadic existence. 4. Cart depictions, showing a charioteer walking alongside a cart, wearing a pointed cap and holding long reins, urging the team onward with sharp calls. The "cart" is represented by two circular wheels and the long reins. The draft animals are shown galloping, their long tails weighted with a triangular ornament, and possessing a single long horn on their heads. This particular image is quite rare among Altai rock art, illuminating an important facet of the ancient nomadic life in the Altai region. Beneath the cart motif, several patterns resembling sheep are also etched. In addition to these, there are scenes of combat, dance, and depictions of deities. For example, a painted rock art panel found in the Tangbaler Cave in Fuyun County shows two concentric circles in the upper section, surrounded by cloud motifs, and a human head below. This head wears a feather-adorned cap, has dozens of short lines drawn on the forehead, and facial features defined by eyebrows, eyes, and a mouth, though the ears are omitted. Similar depictions have been found among the Yinshan rock art in Inner Mongolia. The two concentric circles and adjacent clouds on the rock art likely symbolize the sun and moon, while the strange human head below appears to represent a spirit or deity. Primitive religious concepts often manifested as the worship of natural spirits, and the discovery of such rock art in Northern Xinjiang similarly reflects this. It must be noted that dating the rock art is a complex issue. China has a long history and vast territory, leading to uneven social development among ancient peoples. Some rock carvings may date from the Chalcolithic Age, while others might belong to the period around the beginning of the Common Era, or even as late as the twelfth or thirteenth centuries, or later. For some carvings situated on sheer cliffs, who created them and how they were etched remains an enduring mystery.

The Mystery of the Stone Balls and Stone Men