THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
61
IN DU HUAN’S TRAVELOGUE “MEMORIES OF THE PLACES
VISITED”: CENTRAL ASIA AND CHINA
Khubbaliyeva Makhpurat Xamzaevna
University of Tashkent state of oriental studies
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15532106
Annotation.
This article is about Du Huan and his travel stories. Du Huan’s
guidebook lists the places he visited roughly from east to west. The article shows
the route of Du Huan, who traveled from the kingdom of Shosh through the Jenju
(Norin) river to the state of Kang, then crossed the Amu Darya from Bukhara and
reached Marw, also known as Mugo (
穆国
) on its southern bank (north of
modern Mari in Turkmenistan) and gives information about the events he
witnessed. This article also details Du Huan's impressions of the famous Battle
of the Talas River between the Arabs and the Tang Dynasty. Du Huan also writes
information about paper production in the city of Samarkand. Du Huan’s
travelogue contains valuable information about Central Asia and reflects the life
of cities, the way of living of the population, political, social and economic
situation. The article provides explanations of the names of the countries
mentioned in Du Huan’s travelogue. Du Huan was a great explorer who visited
many places in the western region and traveled to Central Asia, West Asia, the
Mediterranean coast and Africa. This is confirmed by his work “Travel”.
Keywords.
Central Asia, Battle of Talas, Turkic Khanate, Tang Dynasty,
Abbasid Dynasty, State of Shosh, Suyob, State of Marv
Introduction.
In the context of modern globalization, relations between
Uzbekistan and China have elevated to a level of strategic partnership, marked
by dynamic developments in political, economic, and cultural spheres. This
growing cooperation has made it increasingly important to study and analyze
historical Chinese sources, particularly in relation to Central Asia. Chinese
historical documents and travel accounts provide valuable insights into the life,
political dynamics, and economic conditions of ancient cities in the region,
including those in present-day Uzbekistan. Among such sources, The Travel
Account of Du Huan holds a special place, offering firsthand observations of
significant historical events in Central Asia during the 8th century.
Written by Du Huan (
杜
环
, Dù Huán) around 762–763 CE, this work reflects
the author’s experiences during his 12-year journey through various parts of
Central Asia. His travel account offers critical historical information about the
rivalry between the Tang dynasty (618–907) and the Turkic Khaganate over
control of the Silk Road, as well as the famous Battle of Talas in 751 CE. As one of
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
62
the first Chinese travelers to be captured by Arab forces and directly observe
their society, Du Huan provides detailed descriptions not only of political and
social structures but also of cultural exchanges. Notably, he records the
establishment of paper-making techniques in Samarkand by Chinese artisans
taken prisoner after the battle—an event of great historical and technological
significance.
Analysis and results.
During the 730s and 740s, the Arab forces advanced
rapidly westward, while the Tang dynasty sought to maintain its control over
various territories in Central Asia through a network of Jimi prefectures (
羁縻府
州
, Jīmí Fǔzhōu)—autonomous administrative and political units. In response to
Arab incursions, these prefectures requested military assistance from the Tang
central government. Simultaneously, the Tibetan Empire launched aggressive
attacks on the Anxi Four Garrisons (Kucha, Hotan, Kashgar, and Karashar) and
surrounding regions, posing a serious threat to Tang authority in the western
frontier. In fact, the Tibetan expansion was considered a greater danger than the
Arab invasion, prompting the Tang to concentrate its military efforts against
Tibet.
Toward the end of Emperor Xuanzong's reign, the Tang dynasty had gained
influence over the Patola Shahi Kingdom in Gilgit and ruled more than 20
surrounding regions. Despite multiple Tang military campaigns led by the
commanders of the Anxi Protectorate against Tibet, success remained elusive
until 747 CE, when Gao Xianzhi, deputy commander of Anxi and military head of
the Four Garrisons, led a force of 10,000 troops through the Pamirs and Hindu
Kush, striking a major blow to Tibetan forces. His campaign halted Tibet’s
western expansion and significantly weakened Arab advances in the east. For
these achievements, Gao was promoted to chief commander of the Anxi
Protectorate.
However, Gao later committed a critical misstep concerning the Shash
Kingdom (modern-day Tashkent). Although the Shash ruler had remained loyal
to the Tang and resisted Arab advances, Gao—acting on unverified intelligence
suggesting ties between Shash and Tibet—launched a military campaign against
the kingdom in 750 CE. Du Huan, the author of the travel account, participated in
this campaign. After surrounding and capturing the Shash capital, Gao sent the
king and his wife to Chang’an (present-day Xi’an) for execution, while seizing a
large quantity of treasure. This act provoked outrage among Central Asian states
and fostered sympathy for Shash, ultimately strengthening Arab influence in the
region.
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
63
Shortly thereafter, Gao Xianzhi led a Tang army of 30,000 soldiers to
confront the advancing Arab forces. The resulting clash—the Battle of Talas—
lasted five days. During the battle, the Karluks betrayed the Tang by switching
sides and attacking from the rear. The Tang army suffered a devastating defeat,
with most of its soldiers either killed or captured. Du Huan was among those
taken prisoner, marking the beginning of his years-long captivity and
subsequent observations of the Islamic world.
After being taken captive, Du Huan spent twelve years wandering through
various regions of Central and Western Asia as well as the Mediterranean basin.
In the years 762–763 CE, he returned to China aboard a merchant ship that
docked in Guangzhou. He compiled his experiences and observations in a work
known as the Travel Account (Jīngxíngjì). Unfortunately, the original manuscript
of the travelogue has not survived in its entirety; however, a portion of it has
been preserved in the Tongdian (
《通典》
), an encyclopedic work compiled
during the Tang dynasty.
The Travel Account has been studied extensively by numerous historians
both in China and abroad. In China, scholar Ding Qian authored A Geographical
Investigation of the Travel Account (
《
经行记地理考证》
, Jīngxíngjì dìlǐ
kǎozhèng), while renowned historian Wang Guowei included annotations and
textual studies of the Travel Account in his work Collected Studies of Ancient
Travelogues (
《古行
记校录》
, Gǔxíngjì jiàolù). Before the founding of the
People’s Republic of China, Zhang Yichun (
张一纯
) compiled and commented on
the travelogue in his work Annotations to Du Huan’s Travel Account (
《杜
环经
行记笺记》
, Dù Huán Jīngxíngjì jiānjì), providing valuable clarifications and
consolidating the findings of previous researchers. The present version of the
travelogue is based on Zhang Yichun’s analysis and annotations.
Regions Described in the Travel Account. The Kingdom of Suyab. Located
more than 500 kilometers northwest of Anxi, beyond the Bedel Pass. To the
south of the pass was the northern frontier of the Tang dynasty; to the north lay
the southern border of the Turkic Khaganate. Over 1,000 kilometers to the
southwest, the Pamir Mountains stretch across the region. Rivers originating
from the southern side of the pass flow toward the East China Sea, while rivers
from the northern side flow into the Northern Sea through areas inhabited by
small ethnic groups. A journey several days to the north reaches Bogda-Ula Peak,
near which lies a mountain lake called the "Sea of Snow" (
雪海
, Xuě hǎi) in
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
64
Chinese, due to its frequent rain and snow during spring and summer. A narrow
path runs through the lake, and beside it is a cave filled with water. Those who
fall in become disoriented and lose their sense of direction.
Over 500 kilometers north of Bedel Pass lies the Chu River. At the river’s
eastern source is Lake Issyk-Kul, known in Chinese as the "Hot Sea" (
热海
, Rè
hǎi) because it does not freeze despite the cold climate. Nearby was the city of
Suyab. In 749 CE, Wang Zhengjian, the military commissioner of the Beiting
Protectorate (
北庭
), led a campaign against Suyab, destroyed its city walls, and
scattered its inhabitants. However, the Dayun Monastery, once home to Princess
Jiaohe, remained standing.
To the west of the river lies the Kingdom of Shash, located more than 500
kilometers away. Various tribes and Turkic peoples of different surnames
inhabited the central regions of the river, each maintaining armies of tens of
thousands and engaging in frequent intertribal warfare. Farmers typically wore
armor and engaged in raids, often enslaving one another. At the river’s western
source lies the city of Talas (or Taraz), a major city in the Kingdom of Shash and
the site of Gao Xianzhi’s defeat in 751 CE.
To the east of this region lies the Mediterranean Sea. From March to
September, the skies are generally clear. Locals irrigate their fields with
snowmelt and grow barley, wheat, rice, peas, and green legumes. Beverages such
as grape wine, millet beer, and vinegar-mixed milk are common.
The Kingdom of Shash (Tashkent). Also known as
赭支
(Zhězhī) and
大宛
(Dàyuān). Between 742 and 756 CE, during Emperor Xuanzong’s reign, the Tang
general Gao Xianzhi captured the King of Shash and his queen and brought them
to the Tang capital. The kingdom was crossed by two main rivers—the Zhenzhu
River (
真珠河
, Zhēnzhū hé) and the Zhi River (
质河
, Zhì hé)—which likely
correspond to the ancient names of the Naryn River. These rivers flowed north
and west. Du Huan described the land as flat and fertile, abundant in fruits, with
high-quality dogs and horses.
The Ferghana Valley (Sogdian Principality). Located approximately 500
kilometers south of Talas. To the east lie mountain ranges and, beyond them, the
Kingdom of Shule, more than 1,000 kilometers away. To the west, over 500
kilometers away, is the Kingdom of Shash. The region consisted of many cities
and boasted armies numbering in the tens of thousands. In 752 CE, during the
reign of Xuanzong, Princess He I was sent to this kingdom as part of a political
marriage alliance.
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
65
The valley was known for its large population of wild rodents. The area was
ideal for cultivating grapes, Indian gooseberries (amalaka), dates, peaches, and
pears. All the inhabitants lived in clay houses, wore garments made from
sheepskin, and both men and women wore boots. Women did not wear white
face powder but used dark-blue or black dye on their eyebrows.
The Kingdom of Kang (
康国
, Kāng Guó). Identified with the northern part of
present-day Samarkand in Uzbekistan. It was located more than 150 kilometers
southeast of the Kingdom of Mi (
米国
, Mǐguó), possibly modern Panjakent or
Maymurgh. It was also known by the name Samojian (
萨末鞬
, Sà mò jiān). This
was a small but prosperous kingdom with fertile lands. Its people worshipped a
deity referred to as "Xian" (
祆
), likely a reference to Zoroastrianism. Many state
officials and administrators were reportedly from this region.
The sources of Chinese history are diverse and rich. Among them,
travelogues related to ancient history hold a special place, and studying them is
one of the important tasks. Du Huan's travelogue provides information about
certain events and cities related to the history of Central Asia. The value of the
travelogue lies in its precise narration of events and its clear reflection of the
political, social, and cultural history of that era.
Conclusion.
When studying the history of any nation, referring to its
ancient history and sources helps to correctly understand the characteristics of
its present development. This is especially important for an ancient and
miraculous country like China. Moreover, many pieces of information about the
history of Central Asia can be found in Chinese sources. Compared to sources in
other languages, Chinese sources stand out by clearly indicating the exact years
when events occurred.
References:
1.
丁謙
.
叢書集成三編
:
浙江圖書館叢書
.
藝文印書館
, 1971.
2.
S. I. Berzina. “Kushana coins in Axum”, Information Bulletin, International
Association for the Study of the Cultures of Central Asia, Issue 7, Moscow, 1984.
3.
Akin, Alexander. "The Jing Xing Ji of Du Huan: Notes on the West by a
Chinese Prisoner of War." Harvard Middle Eastern and Islamic Review 5 (1999):
77-102.
4.
Lei W. The First Chinese Travel Record on the Arab World. – 2016.
5.
Smidt W. G. C. A Chinese in the Nubian and Abyssinian kingdoms (8th
century). The visit of Du Huan to Molin-guo and Laobosa //Arabian Humanities.
Revue internationale d’archéologie et de sciences sociales sur la péninsule
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
66
Arabique/International Journal of Archaeology and Social Sciences in the
Arabian Peninsula. – 2001. – №. 9.
