The Ancient Kubiz Caravanserai

Ancient Kubiz Caravanserai

Ancient Kubiz Caravanserai

Ancient Kubiz Sites of the Silk Road There are six ancient Kubiz sites along the Silk Road within our county. The best-preserved one is this caravanserai by the Tashkurgan River. It consists of three connected stone rooms that have partially collapsed. One room still shows its original state. This site is 30 kilometers from the county town. The ruins of the caravanserai consist of a small conical structure built with cobblestones, resembling a yurt. The door faces east, and there are skylights and vents in the roof for ventilation. Inside, there are stone remnants of niches, and the walls are blackened from smoke. The caravanserai is surrounded by river flats, and on the high ground near the river, there is an ancient cemetery. To the east lies the ruins of a small town. From the ruins, one can imagine how many people once lived here, how many ethnic groups passed through, and where they made their homes. About 500 meters to the north, there is a row of Tang Dynasty scripture caves of varying sizes, neatly arranged—evidence of the prosperity that once thrived here.

Amidst the surprises, you can also hear the beautiful legend of Xuanzang’s journey to the West to retrieve Buddhist scriptures. According to *A Record of the Western Regions of the Great Tang Dynasty*, during the prosperous Tang era, Master Xuanzang and his disciples were tasked with traveling to the West to obtain sacred Buddhist texts. After overcoming numerous hardships and dangers, they finally arrived at the Kubiz by the Tashkurgan River. Drawn by the thriving atmosphere, they decided to stay a few extra days before continuing their journey. However, that very night, a sudden snowstorm struck, blocking the roads and halting their progress. With no choice, they remained there, hoping the weather would clear so they could resume their sacred mission. Unexpectedly, fierce snowstorms battered the Pamir region for forty-nine days. The scriptures brought back from India became damp and severely damaged due to prolonged exposure. With no proper place to store them, the Monkey King, growing impatient, lifted his golden cudgel and leapt into the sky. Sweeping across heaven and earth, he struck the ground 500 meters from the Kubiz, creating over ten neat caves where the scriptures could be safely stored, solving the urgent problem. This tale has since been passed down as a cherished legend.