APPENDIX 
hard, especially toward the end. Near head 
of valley a steep and difficult ascent leads to 
small farm and inn called Ma-tzii-wan. No 
other stopping place. Poor inn. 
Stace 4, Ching-pien Hsien (18 miles). General direc- 
tion: N.W. A mere bridle-path descending 
into a deep valley. Ascending other side and 
crossing sandy flats reaches Ching-pien Hsien, 
where there are several inns. 
Stace 5. Ning-tiao-liang (10 miles). General direc- 
tion: North. Immediately on leaving Ching- 
pien, a treacherous stream in a deep ravine 
must be crossed. Ascending on to flat plain 
the road leads straight north over sand to 
scattered farms (Chinese) called Ning-t’iao- 
liang. No inns. 
Stace 6. Hung-tu-er Chieh (20 miles). General 
direction: N.E. Road lies over sand hills 
crossing here and there low ridges of harder 
ground. Sand very hard to walk in. Road 
not always easy to discern, especially after 
sandstorm. Very bad inns. 
Stace 7. Ma-ni Ho (20 miles). General direction : 
N.E. Road same as stage 6. Cross a river 
named Chang-feng-pan Ho (15 miles). Ma-ni 
Ho on a small river of same name. Poor inn. 
Stace 8. Hai-lin-t’?u Ho (20 miles). General direc- 
tion: N.E. Road same as stage 6, but more 
sand hills. Hai-lin-t’u Ho also on small river 
of same name. Poor inn. 
Stace 9. Hung-t’u-er (25 miles). General direction : 
N.E. Road even more sandy than stage 8; 
the soft sand making very hard going. Rather 
good inn. 
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