30th March, 2001
China Mystery Tour Two - - A Visit To The Ancient City Of Qien Chen
Qien Chen City with its ancient wall and gates is somewhat different to the capital city of Beijing. Few if any of the local inhabitants had been in contact with a westerner before and at the time of my visit there was a "Protection Order" on the city, but it is doubtful whether this brought any financial benefit to the people living there; certainly not from Tourism.
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This slabbed street had a water main laid on its surface, a sure sign that the area was not troubled by frost ! Near the pipe was a number of very shiny stones about which I was rather puzzled, until it was explained to me that they were "sitting stones", which had been worn smooth by hundreds of bottoms over the years.
Two of the stone slabs in another street were inscribed with Chinese characters, the ancient stone "Stelae" on show in many temples and exhibitions, but here they served a more useful purpose.
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Just before we reached this part of the city we were passed by a man with two loaded pack mules, probably the most convenient way of transporting goods in the narrow streets, which would be a rough ride for cyclists or hand carts.
On the other side of the gate we came alongside a river in which men were dredging for gold, but I have no idea how successful they were !
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