Map of the Western Regions

This map, titled "Map of the Western Regions" (Xiyu Tu), provides a stylized geographical overview characteristic of Ming and Qing era encyclopedias. It encompasses territory from Central Asia (Khotan, Kashgar) to Southeast Asia (Funan, Champa) and the southwestern Chinese frontiers (Tibet, Yunnan).

[Eastern and Northern Regions (Right)]

Flowing Sands original: 流沙 (Liusha). Refers to the shifting dunes of the Gobi or Taklamakan deserts.
Black Water original: 黑水 (Heishui). A name historically applied to several rivers in the west, including the Ejin River.
Jishi
Minshan Mountains
Donghu Market, distance to Changzhou Possibly a reference to a trade market or route distance
Tianquan
Yazhou
Jiazhou
Luzhou
Xuzhou
Rongzhou
Maozhou
Qiongbu
Jianchang
Shimen
Dali
Yongchang
Wuliang
Mengshe
Guangnan

[Central Plateau and Rivers]

Tibet original: 吐番 (Tubo). The historical Chinese name for the Tibetan Empire.
Kingdom of the Little Grass Hui original: 小草回國. Likely a reference to a specific ethnic subgroup or small kingdom on the frontier.
Moxie original: 磨些. The historical name for the Naxi people of Lijiang.
Jinsha River
Lijiang
Iron Bridge
Border of Tibet
Kunlun Mountains
Nine-thousand Li Road A poetic or descriptive name for a very long trade or military route; a 'li' is a Chinese mile, roughly 500 meters.
Dongchuan

[Western and Southern Frontier (Left)]

Top Left

Jiaozhou original: 交州. A region encompassing parts of modern-day Northern Vietnam.
Ma Yuan The Han dynasty general who campaigned in this region and famously erected bronze pillars to mark the border.
Kingdom of Linyi original: 林邑國. Also known as Champa, located in modern-day central and southern Vietnam.
Funan An ancient kingdom centered on the Mekong Delta.
Zhenla original: 真臘. The historical Chinese name for Cambodia.

Western Marches

Khotan original: 于闐 (Yutian). An ancient Iranian Buddhist kingdom on the Silk Road.
Han Commandant original: 漢都尉. A military official of the Han Dynasty responsible for frontier security.
Pamir Mountains original: 葱嶺 (Congling, literally 'Onion Range').
Kucha
Kashgar original: 疏勒 (Shule).
Great Snow Mountains original: 大雪山. Referring to the Himalayas.

Southwestern Regions

Meng Clan original: 蒙氏. The ruling family of the Nanzhao Kingdom.
Tonghai
Yaozhou
Tengchong
Tengyue

The Western Barbarians

The Western Barbarians original: 西番 (Xifan). A general term used in historical Chinese texts to refer to the various peoples of the Tibetan Plateau. are the same as the Tubo The standard name for the Tibetan Empire during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). of the Tang Dynasty. Their land is located to the southwest of Shaanxi, due west of Sichuan, and northwest of Yunnan. Their ancestors were originally members of the Qiang ethnic group, comprising over a hundred different tribes scattered between the Yellow, Huang, Yangtze, and Min rivers. During the Zhenguan era 627–649 CE; the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang., they first established relations with the Central Kingdom. Throughout the Song Dynasty, their tribute missions were continuous.

The Mongol Yuan Dynasty organized their lands into prefectures and counties. In the sixth year of the Hongwu era of our current dynasty 1373 CE; the start of the Ming Dynasty's administration., the various tribal chieftains who held hereditary official ranks traveled to the capital to receive formal appointments. The court established government offices and bestowed seals of authority, authorizing them to govern according to their own local customs.

From this time forward, the Buddhist monks of the region were granted titles such as the Empowerment National Preceptor Guanding Guoshi (灌頂國師): A high religious title; "Guanding" refers to the ritual of Abhisheka, or the pouring of water on the head during consecration., as well as the Prince who Assists Goodness, the Prince who Spreads Doctrine, and the Great Dharma Prince. They all sent tribute of local products, such as horses and incense, to the imperial court.