Cardinal directions in ancient China

[Okaya]

Hello everyone,

From what I have come across so far, I have the notion that India has at times been referred to at times as a "land towards the West" in old chinese texts (this may have been after Buddhism's arrival in China, I am not sure). Is this correct, or am I mistaken?

Supposing that this is at least partially correct, was there a different way of determining the cardinal directions in ancient China, and if so, can you inform me as to how the process was conceived?

Continuing this line of thought further, I get to think about the traditional Chinese custom of placing South in depictions of the cardinal points. Supposing that my assumption regarding India being considered 'westward of China' in certain contexts is correct, does this conception of cardinal points also extend in what constituted South? In other words, was South also ascribed in a somewhat different direction (perhaps South-East?) ?

It could be I am much mistaken in this issue, but I have been thinking it for some time and have been unable to ask anyone about it. I am aware that after the arrival of Buddhism, and the creation of the Pure Land Buddhism school, there was stress put on the "Pure land of the West" (referring to Buddha Amitabha's "Sukhavati" or "Land of Bliss"), and India being the area from which Buddhism reached China, an indirect connection with India can certainly be thought of as being present. But if my understanding is correct, this conception of India as being 'westward' was put forth in more direct terms, and (supposing I am correct) I do not know whether it was an idea that necessarilly was contemporary with Buddhism or preceded it.

Any feedback would be very much appreciated. Thank you for your time, and for any help on this.

Sincerely, and with best wishes,

Okaya