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What books did Xuanzang write? What is the value?
The Records of the Western Regions of Datang recorded the history, geography, customs and customs of this vast area from Xinjiang, China in the east, to Iran in the west, to the southern tip of Indian Peninsula in the south, to Kyrgyzstan in the north and to Bangladesh in the northeast, scientifically summarized the geographical situation of Indian subcontinent, and described the climate, lakes, topography, soil, trees and animals of this vast area from Pamirs to Aral Sea, which has been circulated in the world so far to reflect the medieval situation of this area. Therefore, it has become a precious historical heritage of the world, the most comprehensive, systematic and comprehensive geographical account of this region, and the most important historical and geographical document for studying Huadu, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Yugala, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kashmir, China and Xinjiang in the Middle Ages. The Western Regions of Datang has been published 1300 years. As time goes by, it shows the brilliance of this work. This book is the basic historical data for the ancient geography and religion of India with a long civilization. Because of the chaotic historical geography of India around the 7th century, this book has a little light in the dark and a little order in the scattered. The only literature guide for historical investigation or archaeological excavation of some Buddhist holy places in India is this book by Xuanzang. The archaeological excavation of Narando Temple in India confirmed the correctness of Xuanzang's records. If people want to know about the geographical layout of Tuhoro's old country, the situation of Kantoro and Uji, the distribution of Hotan cultural sites in China, Xinjiang, etc., they have nothing to ask for except this book. Therefore, archaeological investigations and excavations in Afghanistan and Pakistan often refer to this book. This is especially true of archaeological work in India. 1971-1974, an Indian archaeologist rediscovered it in Bi Pravaz, Uttar Pradesh, and confirmed that it was the real site of Kapilovi in Xuanzang's book. At present, there are many achievements in local research at home and abroad by using the Records of the Western Regions of Datang. Many events in Indian history are recorded in the book, which has played a great role in determining the year of birth and death of Sakyamuni. The fifth volume, The Story of the King of the Ring in Japan, is an important historical material for the study of Sino-Indian relations, and historians have also written various monographs on the study of the King of the Ring in Japan. The record of King Ganisiga in the book provides valuable information for studying this hot issue. As for Buddhist historical materials, there are even more. It's almost impossible to find a book about ancient India without quoting the Records of the Western Regions of Datang, because there are some materials in Xuanzang's book that can't be found in any other book. No book has been so rich in content, recorded in so many countries and recorded in so much detail for a long time after Xuanzang. In fact, this geography assignment left by Xuanzang has gone beyond the scope of China, and will play an increasingly important role in Chinese and foreign academic circles in the future.