120 Land Magnetic Observations, 1914-20 



while a bad dust storm was in progress. The plain has the low elevation of 1,500 feet and 

 is inhabited by Shans. Chinese live in the city, which is inclosed by dilapidated walls of 

 mud. There are a number of shops on the main street, but the place lacks any special 

 interest except the picturesque dress of the Shan women who bring in fruit and vegetables 

 to sell in the streets. 



The main road to Yunnanfu continues north from the city, crossing the Red River 

 by an iron suspension bridge a few miles up the valley. The Mengtsz road crosses the 

 river outside the east wall of the town by ferry, and then continues directly up the steep 

 mountains bounding the plain on the east. The road is very steep and only permits of a 

 day's travel of 10 miles being made, during which a continual ascent of 4,600 feet is made 

 to Lutungpu. Leaving Lutungpu, the road continues to climb a few miles farther to an 

 altitude of 7,700 feet above sea level, or 6,000 feet above the Yuankiang plain. 



During the morning of May 3, a band of about 25 brigands was encountered in a 

 ravine in the mountains, but by a merciful Providence the party was allowed to proceed 

 unmolested. The same evening the large village of Paosiu was reached, and from here to 

 Mengtsz the road undulated over red uplands or along cultivated valleys. The large 

 town of Shihpingchow was passed on May 4, and on May 5 we arrived at the larger city of 

 Linanfu. Linanfu has no special industry, but derives its wealth from the rich tin and 

 silver mining district around. The main street and south suburb are lined with good 

 shops. The country around was infested with brigands who had become so bold and 

 daring that camps of soldiers had been established every few miles along the main roads. 

 For the remainder of the journey the party was escorted from station to station by small 

 bands of soldiers. 



Mengtsz was reached shortly after noon May 8, after a three days' journey from 

 Linanfu. Mengtsz is a treaty port near the French railway running from Haiphong to 

 Yunnanfu, and has a foreign concession with a French consul, two hotels and three 

 foreign stores. The Chinese city is lighted with electric lamps and is quite neat. The 

 walls inclose yamens and residences, the business section being located outside. Observa- 

 tions were finished May 9, after which a visit was made to the Taoyin to make inquiries 

 concerning routes into Kwangsi, as it was rumored that brigands were numerous and 

 travel was unsafe. The official was most courteous, and after endeavoring to persuade 

 the party to travel to Tongking by rail and thence enter Kwangsi at Lungchow, a much 

 easier and safer trip, he promised to send an escort as far as Kaihwafu, 4 days' journey to 

 the east. Arrangements were made for leaving, and a fresh caravan was hired for the 

 remaining 17 days' overland journey to the river at Poyai. 



Starting on May 13, we found the road an easy one in dry weather. The country is a 

 mass of limestone hills rising from rolling red uplands. Brigands were quite active, and 

 on May 15 an extra escort of 16 men joined the party. Kaihwafu, where we arrived 

 May 16, is a small city, built on a plain surrounded by limestone ranges. The walls 

 inclose residences and yamens, the shops being found outside the west gate. Lung Ren 

 (Shans) inhabit the plains of this district, while a number of tribes are found in the hills, 

 the chief being Lolos and Miao. 



Between Kaihwafu and Kwangnanfu, a 4-days' journey, the region is dotted with 

 limestone hills. The uplands produce shellac and grow wheat and peas, while the irri- 

 gated fields grow rice. Kwangnanfu is a large city for Yunnan, and its streets are busy 

 and lined with many shops. Iron and tin are mined close by and the latter is smelted 

 within the city walls. On May 24 the remaining 8 days of overland journey to Kwangsi 

 was commenced and on May 28 the small city of Puting was reached, after traveling 

 through very hilly or mountainous country with few villages. Inn accommodations are 

 very poor, there being no rooms for travelers, who, therefore, must live in the stables with 

 the horses. Since the construction of the French railway to Yunnanfu, the road has been 



