Weili 尉犁

The state of Weili 尉犁 (Türkic name Karakum) was located at the northern route of the Silk Road in the region of modern Weili, Xinjiang. During the Han period 漢 (206 BCE-220 CE), it was part of the Protectorate of the Western Territories (xiyu duhufu 西域都護府). During the Tang period 唐 (618-907) it was conquered by its powerful Yanqi 焉耆. The Qing empire 清 (1644-1911) installed a district of Xinping 新平. At that time the region was called Karakum (transcribed as Kalakumu 喀喇庫木 or Kalagong 喀喇工).