The Records of the Western Regions of Datang recorded Xuanzang's personal experience and hearsay about 138 countries, regions and city-states, including Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The arrangement of countries in the book is basically in the order of itinerary: from Ayani to Gabon described in the first volume, that is, from China and Xinjiang to Afghanistan via the Soviet Union and Central Asia; The second volume is a general introduction to India, which records the country from Luanbo to Jiantoro, that is, from Afghanistan.
This book is of great reference value for studying the history of ancient Central Asia and South Asia. Xuanzang's account preserved a large number of historical materials of ancient India, such as geography, politics and taxation of ancient India. On bonini, an outstanding Sanskrit jurist: This book provides precious historical materials of the famous kings of Peyrouzet, Ashoka and Kaneshega in Indian history. The famous books in the history of Buddhism, the distribution of Mahayana and Hinayana sects and the activities of some famous Buddhist scholars are rare materials for studying the history of Buddhism in India. The book is also an indispensable reference for archaeology in Central Asia and South Asia. Archaeologists have excavated and identified many valuable historical sites and cultural relics according to the clues provided in the book. According to the clues provided in the book, the famous temple site of Narando in India was excavated and restored. Therefore, The Tale of the Western Regions of Datang is an important work to study the history and Buddhist classics of ancient India and Central Asia.