SHARA-HADA MOCXTAINS. 137 



111 consequence of the information derived from 

 the missionaries at Siyinza, we determined, instead of 

 passing through Kuku-khoto, to take a direction north 

 of this town to the great wooded mountains over- 

 looking the Hoang-ho. This change in our plans 

 was the more agreeable as it enabled us to proceed 

 at once to a country abounding in objects of the 

 greatest value to the scientific observer, and to avoid 

 visiting a Chinese town, where the rudeness of the 

 people always caused us great annoyance. 



After passing the small temple of Chorehi ^ men- 

 tioned by Hue, we skirted lake Kiri-nor,^ and 

 leaving the Kuku-khoto post-road,^ turned to the 

 right. On the opposite side of a vast plain which 

 now lay before us, we could distinguish a range of 

 mountains known to the Mongols under the name 

 of Shara-hada, i.e. Yellow range, probably from the 

 quantity of limestone rock of which their outer cliffs 

 are formed. Their elevation above the adjacent 

 valley of the Kiri-nor is not more than 1,000 feet, 

 but their steep ascents on this side are in striking 

 contrast with the table-land of the remainder of the 

 range, which abounds in rich pasturage, where even 

 the dzeren is found. The opposite (western) side is 

 less precipitous, though some of its slopes are very 

 steep. The breadth of the range in the part we 



' Hue, i. 125. 



* Lake Kiri-nor dries up in summer. Seven miles to the north- 

 east of it the remains of some ancient walls may be seen ; in the same 

 valley nearer the Shara-hada mountains we saw another wall, probably 

 once forming a boundary. 



' The post stations are kept by Mongols. 



