《北史·列传·卷二十六》
我因安抚各国，监督关市，搜寻有关书籍，采访各少数民族，遇有疑问，便博采众口，依照他们本国的服饰形状，王公和百姓们的形貌举动，用丹青描摹成为《西域图记》，共有三卷，包括四十五个国家。
臣既因抚纳，监知关市，寻讨书籍，访采胡人。或有所疑，即详众口，依其本国服饰仪形，王及庶人各显容止，即丹青摸写为《西图域记》，共成三卷，合三十五国。
When I was consoling the various states, supervising the markets, searching for relevant books, and interviewing the various ethnic minorities, I noted down every question I had. Based on their attire, appearance and actions, I use ink and colors to portray the Records of the Western Regions. There were three volumes with a total of 45 states.