The Ancient Gabozhi Caravanserai

　　The ancient Gabozhis along the Silk Road within our county number six in total, but the most well-preserved is this ancient 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 located 30 kilometers from the county town. The remains of the caravanserai are a small conical house built from pebbles, somewhat resembling a yurt. The door faces east, and there are ventilation holes in the skylight and roof. Inside, there are remnants of stone-built niches, and the walls are blackened from smoke. The caravanserai is surrounded by river flats, and on the high ground by the river lies an ancient cemetery. To the east is the ruin of a small town. From these ruins, one can imagine how many people once lived here, how many different ethnic groups passed through, and where they made their homes. About 500 meters to the north, there is a row of Tang Dynasty monk scripture caves of varying sizes, neatly arranged — a testament to the prosperity that once existed here.

　　Amidst this surprise and wonder, you can also hear the beautiful legend of Tang Sanzang’s journey to the West to retrieve Buddhist scriptures. According to *A Record of the Western Regions of the Great Tang Dynasty*, during the glorious Tang era, Master Tang Sanzang and his disciples were tasked with retrieving sacred scriptures from India. After overcoming countless dangers and hardships, they finally arrived at the Gabozhi by the Tashkurgan River. Drawn by the prosperity of the place, they decided to stay a few extra days before continuing their journey. However, that very night, a sudden snowstorm struck, blocking the roads and making travel impossible. They had no choice but to remain there, hoping the weather would clear so they could resume their sacred mission. But the Pamir Mountains were hit by forty-nine consecutive days of fierce snowstorms. The scriptures they had brought back from India became damp from prolonged exposure to the harsh weather, and were severely damaged. With no proper place to store them, the impatient Monkey King, Sun Wukong, in a moment of urgency, lifted his golden cudgel and leapt into the sky. Sweeping across the heavens and earth, he struck the ground 500 meters from the Gabozhi, creating over ten neat caves where the scriptures could be safely hidden. This act solved the urgent problem and has been celebrated as a wonderful tale ever since.