By the last-mentioned treaty it was stipulated, that the commerce between Russia and China should be transacted at the frontiers. Accordingly two spots were marked out for that purpose upon the confines of Siberia, where they border upon the Mongol desert; one near the brook Kiachta, and the other at Zuruchaitu, The description of the former of these places forms the subject of this chapter.

This settlement consists of a Russian and Chinese town, both situated in a romantic valley, surrounded by high, rocky, and for the most part, well-wooded mountains. This valley is intersected by the brook Kiachta, which rises in Siberia, and, after washing both the Russian and Chinese town, falls into the Bura, at a small distance from the frontiers.

The Russian settlement is called Kiachta, from the above-mentioned brook: it lies in 124 degrees, 18 minutes longitude from the isle of Fero, and 35 degrees north latitude, at the distance of 5514 versts from Moscow, and 1532 from Pekin.

It consists of a fortress, and a small suburb. The fortress, which is built upon a gentle rise, is a square enclosed with palisadoes, and strengthened with wooden bastions at the several angles. There are three gates, at which guards are constantly stationed: one of the gates faces the north, a second the south towards the Chinese frontiers, and a third the east close to the brook Kiachta.