THROUGH THE LAOLIN (WILDERNESS) 233 



region given over to rice fields and cultivation generally. At 

 eleven o'clock in the forenoon after traversing 30 li we reached 

 the large temple of Tsung-tung-che, alt. 4000 feet, situated 

 at the foot of the real ascent of Mount Wa-wu. This temple is 

 built of wood, very old, and in poor repair. A priest and one 

 attendant were in charge ; the rooms, though dingy and damp, 

 were alive with fleas. But since there is no other accom- 

 modation between this place and the summit it was necessary 

 to make the best of things. I had my bed arranged in a large 

 hall where three huge images of Buddha looked down benignly 

 upon me. During the morning occasional showers fell, but 

 m the afternoon a steady downpour set in, which added to the 

 cheerlessness of our roomy but dilapidated quarters. 



Just before reaching the temple we passed through the 

 hamlet of Tung-ch'ang Ho, where there is a very large iron 

 foundry employing a considerable number of men. Iron ore 

 is common in the surrounding mountains, and costs 12,000 to 

 13,000 cash per 10,000 catties. Every 10,000 catties of ore 

 yields about 4000 catties of pig iron, which was said to be of 

 good quality, and sells for 2500 to 3000 cash per picul of 100 

 catties. The smelting is done in furnaces heated by charcoal, 

 which costs at the foundry 12 to 13 cash per catty. Most of 

 the smelting is done during the winter, the summer months 

 being given to the collecting of charcoal and iron ore. Large 

 iron cooking-pans are also made here in considerable quantities. 



Copper is also found in the same range as the iron ore, but 

 on the opposite side. Formerly it was worked and smelted 

 here, the name Tung-ch'ang signifying " copper-shop " or 

 factory. From what I could learn the industry was abandoned 

 some ten years or more ago when copper mining became a 

 Government monopoly controlled by the officials. The people 

 told me that they could not produce copper on paying lines 

 under Tls. 35 'oo to Tls. 36*00 per picul. The officials would 

 only pay Tls. 28 00, consequently copper smelting was given 

 up and replaced by that of iron. A hard, smokeless coal occurs 

 in the neighbourhood, but is not much used. Altogether, this 

 Tung-ch'angHowith its iron foundry, coal mines, andabandoned 

 copper workings constitutes an interesting mining centre. 



Around the temple are many fine trees of Castanopsis, 



