CHAPTER XIV 



ACROSS THE CHINO-THIBETAN BORDERLAND 



Kuan Hsien to Romi Chango ; the Flora of the 

 Pan-LAN Shan 



DURING the summer of 1908, when in Chengtu, I de- 

 termined upon a journey to Tachienlu. Previously, in 

 1903 and again in 1904, 1 had visited this town by three 

 different routes. This time I decided upon following the road 

 leading from Kuan Hsien via Monkong Ting and Romi Chango. 

 The only published account of this route that I have knowledge 

 of is in a Report by Mr. (now Sir) Alexander Hosie,^ erstwhile 

 H.B.M.'s Consul-General at Chengtu, who returned from 

 Tachienlu over this road in October 1904. What is written in 

 this Report about the forests of that region created a desire 

 within me which nothing short of actual experience could 

 satisfy. Again, this route promised further acquaintance with 

 the tribesfolk inhabiting the hinterland. Sir Alexander's 

 description of the road portrayed a difficult journey, but I 

 felt sure that by taking time and but lightly burdening my 

 men I could get through all right. This confidence was fully 

 justified, as events proved, and what I saw of the forests and 

 mountain scenery, together with the quantity and variety of 

 plants discovered and collected, abundantly repaid me for the 

 hardships experienced. The journey is estimated at 1326 li, 

 approximately 330 English miles, but, whilst mere mileage is 

 of little moment in mountainous countries, I should consider 

 250 miles a more accurate figure. 



With Tachienlu as my goal I left the city of Chengtu on 

 the morning of 15th June, and at noon the next day reached 



^Journey to the Eastern Frontier of Thibet, presented to both Houses of 

 Parliament, August 1905. 



