Three Years in Western China A Narrative of Three Journeys in Ssu-ch'uan, Kuei-chow, and Yün-nan
CHAPTER I.
UP THE YANG-TSZE TO WESTERN CHINA.
PAGE
Western China and the interest attaching to it--The way thither--An unsuccessful attempt to reach Ichang--Ichang at last--Difficulties of navigation--Commercial importance of Ichang--My native passenger-boat, opium-smoking skipper, and crew--The navigability of the Upper Yang-tsze by steamers--Dangers and difficulties of the Ching T’an Rapid--Up and down the rapid--The poppy--Ch’ung-k’ing. 1