Across the Roof of the World. 



important of the two, from the fact that it was the centre of the 

 last Russian administration, and such distinction as it at present 

 enjoys from the import and export trade. 



New Kulja is situated some 20 miles further west, and is the 

 seat of the Viceroy of Hi, who exercises jurisdiction over the 

 nomad tribes of Kirghiz and Kalmuk, and is surrounded by 

 numerous minor officials also residing there. 



Old Kulja is the residence of the Taotai and the local Governor, 

 both of whom live within a walled city distinct from the 

 Mohammedan one. Kulja is one of the four divisions into which 

 Chinese Turkistan is divided, the head of the administration 

 therefore being the Taotai above referred to. The duties of 

 this official are difficult to define, but it may be said that he is 

 mainly responsible for the general government of the division 

 entrusted to his charge with certain modifications in regard to 

 military affairs. The Viceroy of Hi differs from him in that he 

 exercises control over the Kalmuks and Kirghiz, his authority 

 in this direction extending to the far north of the country, while he 

 possesses the right to correspond direct with Pekin on affairs of 

 state. The nomad tribes recognise him as their ruler and admin- 

 istrator, and the post generally would appear to be of great 

 importance. 



There is little of interest in Kulja, it being similar in all 

 respects to any other Central Asian town. The houses are built 

 of mud and have flat roofs, all being single-storied, and 

 architectural beauty is conspicuous by its absence. The 

 shops and bazaars are mainly in the hands of Taranchis and 

 Russian Sarts, w^hilst there are also a few owned by Russians, 

 where one can obtain European goods and stores of a doubtful 

 quality. The Taranchi bazaar is the best I have seen in the 

 course of my travels in Turkistan, the majority of the shops 

 being provided with counters, and supplied with Russian-made 

 goods which find a ready sale. At the time of my visit only 

 three of the shops in Kulja were owned and administered by 

 Russians, but as there is a good opening for enterprising 



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