The Travels of Marco Polo

Salt is found in great quantities in the area around the city:

In the country is found a salty earth; they heap this up and filter water through it, which is then conveyed to very wide pans, not more than four inches in depth. In these it is well boiled, and then left to crystallize. The salt that results is white and good, and is exported to various parts. Great profits are made by those who manufacture it, and the Great Khan derives a considerable revenue from it (3052-55).

The district is also well-known for its peaches.

The city of Chan-gli is a great center of commerce, powered by the large river that runs through it, on which pass vast quantities of silk and other articles. The city of Tandinfu, also a manufacturing center, was the scene of a great rebellion by an officer appointed by the Great Khan. The officer, Litan Sangon, convinced the entire province to join him in his rebellion, and the Great Khan sent an army to stop it:“There was much slaughter on both sides, but at length Litan was killed, and his troops took to flight” (3077).