Rockhill's Description of Tankar from 1888

Rock, 2004 [1891], visited in 1888 (1889?)

Tankar (Tan-ka-erh) is a sub-prefecture (t'ing), and the most westerly frontier town in this part of Kan-su... Its population of Chinese and Tibetans is not over 10,000, exclusive of a garrison of a nominal force of 200 men under a colonel (Hsieh-t'ai). During the rebellion of the Mohammedans it suffered greatly, and it is said that nearly 10,00 of them were killed by the imperial troops when it fell into their hands. p.109

imports from Lhasa include:
'phrug
incense
saffron from Kashmir
Buddhist books
brown sugar
dried dates from India
cowries
disks of chank-shells and of amber for ornaments
some furs

Articles exported to Lhasa include:
mules and horses
satins
silks
gold brocades
chinaware

Khams pa import:
some musk
hides
lambskins
choma

They export nothing of importance.

Tsaidam Mongols import:
large quantities of salt, but it is of an inferior quality, very dirty, and, though the only salt used in the western portion of Kan-su, is sold at a very low price. Hides and wool complete the list of their list of imports. P111

Kokonor Tibetans import:
wool

Traders from Khotan and Kashgar, visiting annuals in autumn, import:
rugs
raisins
dried melons