Burma image, WA0323. Photograph taken by James Henry Green in Kachin Land, Burma (Myanmar). It was taken in the 1920s. 'Sinlum Kaba is a charming retreat up on the mountains at a height of 5000ft. A 'circular road', cut round the hills by Mr Rae, commands magnificent views. The most beautiful loop of this road is that leading to the Mission Hut, a spur of mountain clothed with splendid trees. The rocks are covered with orchids, and the view over the Taping and Irrawaddy Rivers is truly superb. Another wonderful view is that obtained from a cliff which used to be called 'Lamu-ga Mada Lung' (Rock of the World View). This rock forms a stupendous precipice, and is now spoken of as 'N'ra lung htawn' (Unpleasant rock). This is really a better name, since equally fine views are seen from Sinlum itself, without the shrinking sensation that this horrible precipice brings' ['A Burmese Arcady', C. M. Enriquez, London, 1923, p.102]
*****The first stage of the journey into the heart of the Kachin hills at Sinlum Kaba follows the main trade route from Bhamo to Tengyueh in China. Numbers of Chinese caravans were passing up and down, and those travelling back to China were laden with cotton and ribbon-iron. Mule transport in this part of Burma is exclusively in Chinese hands. Kachins never own or hire mules. There is a great and increasing demand for mules, and breeding would certainly be profitable if conducted high up in the hills above the surra zone. The cost of transport has gradually risen by four annas and eight annas at a time, until the hire of a mule, which used to be a rupee a day, was on this occasion Rs 4-8-0, and is sometimes even Rs5. Many mules die of surra and a comparatively insignificant number were at this time (December 1918) employed on the Chin Hills Expedition, but if the cost of transport rises much more, it will seriously prejudice frontier trade. ['Races of Burma', Major C. M. Enriquez, Meiktila, 1920, p.19]
Self and some of the party during a rest. Except in the hills rough roads exist throughout the Shan States and bullock cart transport is slow but sure.
Burma image, WA0711. Self and some of the party...
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