Remains of a Buddhist stupa, circa 3rd century Ad. Height: 6 metres. Niya, north of Minfeng. This single ruined stupa of modest size stands at the centre of the site. It was built of mud-brick before 300AD and consists of a cylindrical dome on a square base. Niya occupies a vast area beside the dried up bed of the Niya river _ as much as 30km north to south and 5km east to west. To reach it requires a journey by jeep and camel, north from the town of Minfeng (New Niya) across 100kms of lifeless, post-apocalyptic wilderness. During visits in 1901, 1906, 1914 and 1931, Stein unearthed extensive remains at the site indicating that it was once a major commercial centre on the Southern Silk Road.