The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume XII, No. 2 [‎299v] (101/154)

188
THE MONTHLY RECORD.
Su-chuan, with abundant details on the physical and commercial geography of the
country traversed. Mr. Litton’s route touched in places those of Count Szdchenyi,
Mrs. Bishop, and Captain Gill, but for considerable distances it led through entirely
new country. Starting from Chungking, the traveller proceeded northwards by
the “ lesser north road ” up the valley of the Kialing river. Beyond Ho Chau, the
great treeless sandstone basin of Su-chuan was reached; it is subject to a tremendous
heat, and has a poor soil, rice being grown only in the low gullies, yet the population
is swarming, every inch of available ground being cultivated. The country to the
east of the Kialing was the scene of the famine of 1896-97, and Mr. Litton remarks
that these districts are so over-populated that even a slight failure of crops will in
future entail widespread distress. The estimate of 50,000,000 for the whole of
Su-chuan is, in his opinion, quite a possible one. Beyond Paoning (visited by
Mrs. Bishop), the hilly country of North-Eastern Su-chuan, inhabited by a maize
and wheat-eating population, begins. Low ranges branch off from the main range
which divides Su-chuan from the provinces to the north-east, traversing the country
from north-west to south-east, and the country produces little except the teas of
Tai Ping and the salt of Ta Ning. At Kwang Yuen, situated on the Kialing, in a
hollow among the mountains, the main Peking-Chengtu road, followed in part by
Szdchenyi, was struck. This place does an important trade with Kansu, a second
road leading hence to Chin Chau and Lan Chau. The chief object of commerce is
the “ water ” or Lan Chau tobacco, but fine sheepskins also come down from Chin
Chau, one of the most important centres for this trade in China. Fifteen miles west *
of Kwang Yuen the Pai Shui or Pi Kau joins the Kialing, and up its valley,
hitherto, we believe, undescribed by Europeans, Mr. Litton proceeded. On entering
the gorge of Shi Kuan Tsu—the first of a series which extends beyond the market
town of Pi Kau, a limestone region is reached; the stream is little more than a
mountain torrent, and traffic is carried on chiefly by a rough and narrow track
through a wild and thinly peopled region. Pi Kau derives its importance
from the medicine trade, standing at the junction of several mountain tracks
from the north and west. It is in Kansu, the southern parts of which might,
if immigration were encouraged, supply greatly increased quantities of wheat,
hides, medicines, etc. Mr. Litton was prevented by illness from making an ex
tended tour into that province, turning instead south-west towards Lung An.
Before re-entering Su-chuan, the central mountain range has to be crossed by
the Ta Tao Ling pass (6150 feet), the ascent to which is rough and difficult.
On the Su-chuan side the cultivation is entirely maize. At Lung An Mr.
Litton struck Captain Gill’s route, skirting the great mountain system of North-
West Su-chuan to Sungpan on the upper Min river, and then proceeding south
wards down the valley of the latter. He speaks with enthusiasm of the scenery
and the attractions which the country has for the naturalist, and gives useful
details of the trade of Sungpan, and the non-Chinese population of its neighbour
hood. The mountain region to the south of the Lung An—Sungpan road is
inhabited by Chinese or Chinese-speaking Man Tsu. The population is, however,
sparse and of recent origin, and large patches of virgin forest still remain. At Mao
Chau Gill s route was left, and the south of the hill country crossed bv a track
leading to Chungpa and the Chengtu road. Here again Mr. Litton was on new
ground, and his observations on the country and people are of much value. His
report concludes with notes on the Chengtu plain and its irrigation, on the prospects
of foreigners in Su-chuan, and on silk production.
* The direction is given on Kreitner’s map (Sze'chenyi Expedition) as S.S.W.