1837,] 



from Ava to the Frontier of Assam. 



403 



the distance of two miles* above Bamo the mouth of the Taping ox Ta- 

 pan river is situated. This river has a direction N. 70 E. for about 

 two days' journey, when it cuts through the Kakhyen range, and 

 under these hills, old Bamo, or Manmo, is situated. To the latter 

 place the Chinese take their merchandise from modern Bamo by- 

 water, and then proceed overland to the choki or ken of Loailong near 

 Mowan, which they reach' in three days, and from thence to Mounyen 

 or Tengyechew in the province olYunan, at which place they arrive in 

 eight or nine days. The road from Bamo to Loailovg is through the 

 hills, which are inhabited by Kakhyens and Palongs, after which it 

 passes through the country of the Shans, called by the Burmans, 

 Kopyi-douvg. The road is described as being very good, and quite a 

 thoroughfare. The Tapan Khyoung is not navigable for large boats, 

 in consequence of which the Chinese use two canoes tied together, 

 with a platform over them, for the transport of their merchandise to 

 Manmo or old Bamo, and for the remainder of the journey it is carried 

 on ponies or mules." 



This description of the size of the Tapan Khyoung, which is also 

 called by the Shans Numtaping, completely sets at rest the keenly 

 agitated question of its identity with the Tsanpo of 7 hibet, and the 

 theory of Klaproth (who, on the authority of Chinese writer. 0 , calls it 

 the Pinglankhyoung, and maintains it to be the prolongation of the 

 Tsanpo), is shown to have no better foundation than his unauthorized 

 change in the position assigned to the latter river, in that part of its 

 course which passes through Thibet. Captain Hannay describes the 

 Taping as not more than 150 yards broad, and with only sufficient 

 water to float a small boat. The Singphos affirm that it is a branch 

 of the Shueli Khyoung (the Lungshue kiang of the Chinese) from 

 which it separates above Momein, but the accuracy of this report ap- 

 pears highly questionable. 



The principal article of trade, which is cotton, is entirely in the 

 hands of the Chinese, who arrive at Bamo i t the mon;hs of Decem- 

 ber and January. The greater part of their imports is taken to Ava, 

 as neither the natives of Mogaung nor Bamo could afford to purchase 

 them. " What they dispose of here," says Captain Hannay, " are 

 copper pots, carpets and warm jackets." These articles are also 

 taken all over the Burman territories, as far west as the Khyendwen. 

 There are several cotton godowns here, belonging to the Chinese, and 

 there are constantly residing in the town 500 of these people, which, 



* In another place it is mentioned as only one mile above Bamo. 



