mitoyoi

Bulakbeshi, means “the side of a spring” in Uyghur, actually is spring scenery northeast of urban area of Kashgar city. It is said that it has a history of over a thousand years, during which it is loved and protected by the local common people.

After Islamism was introduced into Kashgar, local Muslims even likened it to the “Shenshen spring” in Mecca city Arab. Because the spring scenery consists of nine springs, Han people lived here in the past called it “nine dragon spring”.

The spring is located in the Yawag residents’ committee area (the residents’ committee gained fame because of the spring). The entire topography tilts from the west to the east, the low-lying place in the east is approximately 4 Chinese acres, in the center of which are several clear springs. The springs have equal distance in between, each of which is in a small pond, and the water is it is as clear as crystal. There are gutters interlinking the small ponds. And the water of the last pond flows to the willow forest on the bank of Tuman River.
　

From Qing Dynasty till liberation, it was called “Geng Gongquan” or “Geng Gongjing”. Near the spring there was a temple called “Geng Gongci”. Many poems and prose of Qing Dynasty are about the spring.

In A.D. 75, Geng Gong was trapped in a small city called Shule by Hsiungnu army, “Hsiungnu blocked all the rivers flow into the city. Geng Gong and his subordinates dug wells of 15 ten feet but still could not get water. They were so thirsty that they drank hippuric. Geng Gong signed  I heard the general Li Guangli punctuated the mountain with his sword and the spring water come out. Now blessed by the Chinese gods, we can never be forgotten! Then he tidied his clothes and bowed to the well again. After a little while, spring water rushed out, all the people cheered.”
Afterwards, Geng Gong asked his soldiers to sprinkle water. Hsiungnu knew there was water in the city, thinking there must be some gods who were helping them, thereupon quickly withdrew. This is the famous story of “Baiquan in Shule Defeated Hsiungnu” in history. In this way, the name of a great official in Eastern Han Dynasty was closely related with the spring water in ancient Shule city.

At the mention of ancient Shule city, those who have even the slightest knowledge of the history of the western regions will remember the capital city of Shule state in Han Dynasty- today’s Kashi city, thereupon misunderstanding appears. Actually, as early as Yuan Dynasty, a historian Hu Sansheng had pointed clearly in “Zi Zhi Tong Jian, the city defended by Geng Gong was not Shule country but behind Cheshi (present-day Jimusa and Qitai).　In “Zi Zhi Tong Jian” by Si Maguang, there is a objective description of the story. It reads after water was run out in the city,

Therefore, not to mention imaginative men of letters, even scholars unintentionally or intentionally locate the story in today’s Kashi city, and named a series of historical relics near nine dragon spring. It is a kind of misunderstanding, but contains many true feelings, which add appeal and splendor to the old city Kashi, especially the spring scenery.

If makes the best of a bad situation, and explains some relics related to “Geng Gongquan” in Kashi city is not a bad idea. After the interlude, let me get down to business.

Now four of the nine springs have dried up whose name also disappeared. The rest five have their names and origins.
　

The second is called “Taxibulak” 杝tone spring. It is said that the spring flew out of a cauldron-shaped stone. And the stone pot is said to be given by Allan after chaos caused by war to contain ” food” for the local common people. After the food in it was finished, the stone pot was filled with spring water and it never dries up.

The third one is called “Aiyider Habulak” - Longquan. It is said the spring was so deep that the bottom could not be seen, which seemed cold and fearsome. According to myth there was a black dragon in the water. If it did not rain or in shortage of water, pray worked very well. If people were disrespectful, calamity would fall to them.

The fourth one is called “Nuoerblak” - aqueduct spring. This spring does not have any romantic fable. It is said the original water level was much higher. In Kashgar city some generous King put a wooden on the spring to it to several kilometers away where water was in short supply and was greatly welcomed by the people there.

The fifth is called “Nawayibulak” ?it cannot be translated literally, so translate it for the time being ” spring of poet and saint”. It came from a person抯 name. “Nawayi” was the laureate poet Alixier Nawayi in central Asia in the 15th century (144l - 1501), who had a high status among Turkish nationalities in ancient times. Hereafter it became the synonym of outstanding poets.

In Kalahan dynasty, the son of Suotuk Bugelahan Musa Bugelahan first developed here for tour resort, and built temporary palace on the west of the spring scenery, bring the management and the construction to its correct course.

　In 1526, when the writer of Yierqiang khanate, famous history scholarship was being governor in Kashgar: brought into line with in the city the spring scenery,　planted large batch of forest and flowers, and built three palaces to accommodate the aristocrats, which must be extremely luxurious.

In 1768 after Yierqiang khanate was overthrown, Zungar Mongol Khanate believing in Tibetan Buddhism controlled Kashgar. They painted all Buddha models gold in three pavilions, simultaneously built several Buddhist temples around the pavilions. Apak Hoja was angry but dare say nothing, only in secret the spring scenery region.

To his old age, when he thought he could contend with Zungar country, he built a mosque near Buddhist temple to carry on large-scale “Ziker”. It was quite lively that the sound of drum and prayer resounded together.

In 1839, in order to solve the residential water- use problem, Zuherding King of Kashgar in Qing Dynast once put through a channel called “Ouerdayelek” (royal canal) to draw out water (possibly that eye “aqueduct spring”), simultaneously built a gate northwest of the spring which still existed before liberation.

Abudureyim Nezary once held public office in the general’s office, had contributed to the construction of the spring scenery.

Before1880, the under general Liu Jintang was in charge of Kashgar, after the war was over, he paid much attention to the economic development. It is said that he not only sent out special person to construct teahouse, inns and so on, but also enclosed the stockade in the spring, expanded about 15 Chinese acres to plant ten thousands mu fruit trees. Whenever there are festivals, it was brilliant attracting innumerable tourists and literati.

At the same time, Liu Jin Tang issued an order to construct “Geng Gongci” near the spring and appointed special person to tend it. “Geng Gongquan” was widely spread and became the tour resort of inland poets to reflect on old times and remind of deceased.