The road led over a spur that came up to the bed of the river on both banks. The ascent was long, but not steep. The road was inconceivably uneven and often very narrow. In its present condition it would be impassable on wheels, but there should be no great difficulty in making it passable.
lip on the hills lies the village of Painpupu with 3o houses. This is considered the half distance to Feng-siang-fu and a short rest and refreshments are thought to be indicated at this juncture. However, I was not to be tempted by the delicacies displayed, but continued my journey. After keeping at approximately the same level for some considerable time we began the descent, which was much shorter. On the way we passed the village of Youtien-tzu with 40 houses built. into the soft side of the mountain (40 li from Kien-yang). The direction had become ESE. We were on a terrace-like eminence with a slight dip to the S. We could not see the river any longer, but some mound-shaped high hills on the right, which we soon left behind. The plateau, on which the road had been made, was level like the bottom of the valley of the Wei ho, the fields, villages and trees of which were spread out as far as we could see. io li from the last village we rode through Liuliupu, a prosperous village of 8o—ioo houses with many shops. The Chinese estimate the distance to-day at 70 li.
In the distance we could see the grey wall of the Feng-siang-fu fortress, as if drawn with a ruler. Soon after, we entered its W gate, outside which there was a small group of houses.
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