Place · 40.77° N · 114.89° E
Kalgan
Today ZhangjiakouХаалган
Six books by four travelers mention Kalgan between 1870 and 1943. Here is what each of them saw, in the order they were there.
- 1870–1882
Among the Mongols
The gate-town in the Great Wall on the north frontier of China, base of Gilmour's summer itinerations and starting point of the camel journey across the desert to Kiachta. The tea trade funnelled through it: brick tea came up from Tientsin and was distributed north by camel, mule, and donkey.
…bones of the skeleton, Mongols, however, bound from their homes to Kalgan, do not lose time viewing the landscape or indulging in geological theories as to changes…Listen from here · chapter 15, 2:46…of small traders make a living by buying an ox-cart load of goods in Kalgan, dragging it over the pass as best they can, and disposing of their merchandise by going…Listen from here · chapter 15, 13:19 - 1884–1943
Under a Lucky StarRoy Chapman Andrews
The caravan town at a gate in the Great Wall where the motor caravans were outfitted and the climb onto the Mongolian plateau began. Today it is Zhangjiakou, in Hebei.
…over much of China and Manchuria, twice across the Gobi Desert from Kalgan to Urga, the capital of Mongolia, and northward, on horseback, through the vast…Listen from here · chapter 15, 5:58…the late winter our caravan of seventy-five camels had set out from Kalgan at the entrance to the great plateau, loaded with gasoline, food, and countless items of…Listen from here · chapter 19, 0:02 - 1893–1929
Larson, Duke of Mongolia
The walled caravan city at a gate in the Great Wall — the trade gateway between China and Mongolia, and the seat from which Chahar was governed. Its Mongolian name, Хаалган, means "the gate"; today it is Zhangjiakou, in Hebei, China.
…married two years later, and established a simple little home in Kalgan, where my wife continued her missionary work among the Chinese and from which I went out…Listen from here · chapter 10, 6:33The Swedish-Mongolian Mission opened work among the Mongols north of Kalgan soon after 1900, and they now have three mission stations and nine missionaries working…Listen from here · chapter 10, 11:35 - 1902
Journeys in Mongolia
The walled trade town at a gate in the Great Wall, the caravan gateway between China and Mongolia and an end-point of the old Kiakhta–Kalgan road. Today it is Zhangjiakou, in Hebei.
…we file through them, and discover that they practically cease near Kalgan and Dolon Nor; beyond these points to north and west stretches a vast expanse where, amid…Listen from here · chapter 2, 4:00The deciding rim probably averages 4800 feet above the sea, and Kalgan is 2700 feet, but the distance from the rim in places is scarcely over 12 miles, and when…Listen from here · chapter 3, 4:15 - 1919–1920
Across Mongolian PlainsRoy Chapman Andrews
The caravan gateway between China and Mongolia, a walled trade town at a gate in the Great Wall. Today it is Zhangjiakou, in Hebei, China.
…to say where the Gobi really begins or ends when crossing it between Kalgan and Urga, for the grasslands both on the south and north merge so imperceptibly into the…Listen from here · chapter 15, 1:59…for freight what has already been done for passengers, not only from Kalgan to Urga, but west to Uliassutai, and on to Kobdo at the very edge of the Altai Mountains.…Listen from here · chapter 15, 11:09 - 1922–1925
On the Trail of Ancient ManRoy Chapman Andrews
The caravan gateway between China and Mongolia, a walled trade town at a gate in the Great Wall and the expedition's jumping-off point onto the plateau. Today it is Zhangjiakou, in Hebei, China.
…all the specimens and superfluous equipment, and told Merin to reach Kalgan not later than October 20. Actually, I may note here, he arrived ten days earlier than…Listen from here · chapter 11, 25:42…with two cars, take Butler, Robinson, Chaney and Shackelford back to Kalgan and after a look at the political situation return with Mac Young to the expedition for…Listen from here · chapter 21, 7:00
Hear every account in full
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