Taklamakan            The Land of No Return      © 2001, John A. Schettler

Visitors still throng to the “Art Gallery of the Desert” at the Mo Gao Caves near Dun Huang, China. In scene 1 of “Khan Tengri” (the sequel to “Taklamakan”) Tando meets with three mysterious visitors in the alcove created by these magnificent Buddha carvings.

The Three “traders” who meet with Tando in Chapter 1 of Khan Tengri are shown in this image depicting typical dress of the period.

“Kizil” meaning “Red” is a good name for the land about the famous “Kizil Caves” where Nala undergoes her Dakini initiation ceremony in “Taklamakan.”

Street Sellers line the Bazaars in most trading towns along the Silk Road.

Taklamakan            The Land of No Return      © 2001, John A. Schettler