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Updated 22nd June, 2006
A Visit To The Ancient City Of Qian Chen
Qian Chen, an ancient 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 the ancient city was under a "Protection Order". 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 in the ancient city of Qian Chen 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. 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 of the ancient city streets 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 ancient 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 this ancient city 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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