Sven Hedin

On April 4 th   , 1896 we arrived in the northern region of Lop-Nor known by the locals as Avullu-koll. For 3 days we travelled along its eastern shore following the Tarim and the  Kara-khosan   rivers and their many series of lakes. This was a particularly arduous journey made all the more difficult by massive sand dunes towering over 50 feet in height and plunging down into the shore of the lake at an angle of 33 degrees. At certain places the relentless sand retreated in order to make space for a dense poplar forest that emerged in patches along the edge of the lakes. This forest was so dense at certain places that it was easier to take our chances with the sand dunes than attempt to push onwards through the brush. We carried on this manner until the 6 th of April when due to sheer exhaustion the camels refused to carry on any further and we were forced to give them a day’s rest. We camped out in the open air atop a majestic sand dune dotted with a few popla...

On October 5 th ,1896 we set off from the small village of Koko-bureh on October 5 th 1896 after a few days of much needed and well-earned rest. We had departed from Dalai-kurgan in Northern Tibet two months prior with the intention of reaching the Chinese capital of Beijing via Southern Mongolia. We made our way down into the Yikeh-Tsohan-Gol valley ridding atop traditional Mongolian horses. A problem quickly arose as the horses that we travelled upon were unshod and our path took us along side the bank of a local stream containing a great deal of sharp angular rocks that wrecked havoc upon their defenceless feet. But alas we had to press on and continue on our journey if we hoped to reach a suitable campsite before dark. As we progressed further into the valley we stumbled across a party of mounted Mongols armed to teeth with an assortment of primitive weaponry (muskets and traditional Mongolian knives) traveling in the opposite direction. My men quickly reached for their rifl...

Christmas in Kargalik We arrived in Kargalik on Christmas eve of 1896 after having made the tiresome journey from the great city of Kashgar. Upon our arrival we were eagerly greeted by a group of local townspeople who insisted that we shall reside in the residence of a well off local merchant from Korkand. A massive feast had been prepared in our honour. Large quantities of apples, pears, raisins, almonds and the largest assortment of sweetmeats I had ever seen were laid out before us. It was just like Christmas dinner back in Sweden except the entire meal took place while we were seated on the floor and of course the majority of participants where not Christian. Upon the conclusion of the feast we were treated to a majestic performance put on by a troupe of 10 local dancers that was followed up with the presentation of a variety of useful gifts and offerings from the local amban (Chinese governor) such as sheep, rice, wheat, maize, petrol and provisions for our horses. Immedi...

The Buried City Of Takla-makan. On January 14 th , 1896 I departed from the city of Khotan with a small handpicked caravan consisting of 4 men, 3 splendid male camels and 2 donkeys. For on this expedition I have decided to conduct an experiment to see how the resiliency of the common donkey will hold up in a forced desert march. The men I have engaged on this journey are my trusty servant and assistant Islam Bai and his trusted acquaintance Kerim Janm. I also made the decision to employ two local hunters named Ahmed Merghen and Kasim Akhun. Me and Islam Bai owe a great of deal gratitude to these 2 men as they are the individuals who saved both mine and Islam Bai’s lives during last years disastrous attempt to traverse the Takl-Makan desert.  But alas last years expedition was not a complete failure, valuable lessons where learned. I made the decision on this expedition to travel as lightly equipped as possible and only carry items of absolute necessity to ensure that the camels ...

            I had arrived in the town of Lalik on March 15 th 1895 after making the perilous journey from Kashgar. I was in desperate need of supplies and quickly sought out the local market. While engaging with local merchants I began to hear rumours of two young men who had started off from the nearby village of Yantak located on the right bank of the Yarkand-dria river, merely a day or two’s journey away by foot. These men had departed with supplies for a journey of approximately 12 days.  These 2 young men had not only successfully traversed the great Taklamakan desert but just 3 days into there travels they came across a disused river bed which they subsequently followed and came across the ruins of a once great city containing vast quantities of nephrite, more commonly known as Jade. What a discovery!  Could these ruins perhaps represent a lost city of the great Tang Dynasty? I had to find out, but it was if all sudden this group of mercha...

             I began my journey in the city of Yarkand which is located in the far western corner of the of the Chinese province of Xinjiang within the region of Kucha on September 17 th 1899. I had made up my mind that this expedition shall be one a of nautical nature. The plan was originally to navigate the Yarkand river as far north as physically possible. But then I realized why should I settle for simply navigating just one river when I could also explore the Tarim and Kaidu rivers as well. So, upon arriving within Yarkand I immediately set to work acquiring a suitable vessel. Unfortunately, all that was available to me was a basic, barren, shallow draft barge approximately 12 metres in length. This would simply not do! A simpler man would have most likely given up but not I. Sven Hedin is no quitter!             I immediately set to work employing a small army of carpenters and blacksmit...