LU-TINCI-CIIIAO BRIDGE 127 



at one time. We liad breakfast on a spur of the 

 mountains looking over the Tung Eiver, whose course 

 we had now again met, and which here takes a direc- 

 tion ahnost due north. The road leads partly past a 

 precipice from which a headland projects, and here it 

 has to be cut into the face in such a way that the rocks 

 hang over the traveller's head. The path is a little 

 wider than usual, and at this spot a dwarf wall is built 

 on the outer side. This is a precaution for safety rarely 

 seen in the country. A short distance further and a 

 sudden descent takes us into the valle}^ of the Tung, up 

 which we proceed till a sharp turn to the left brings us 

 suddenly into the town of Lu-ting-chiao, which is 

 built on both banks of the Tung Eiver, the two parts ol 

 the town being connected by a suspension bridge — a 

 thing one would hardly expect to see in this remote 

 region. It is, however, a thoroughly good piece of 

 work, having substantial stone piers to carry chains, 

 which are made of iron of a good inch in diameter, the 

 ends of which are secured to the rocks at the back. 

 The footway is about twelve feet wide and is also hung 

 by chains, the boards forming it not being fastened 

 down. This remarkable ])ridge is about 120 yards 

 long, and is perhaps 150 feet above the highest level of 

 the Tung Eiver. In the street at each end is a bazaar 

 where goods and provisions are sold. I was heartily 



