Sanjiang - Wind and Rain Bridge

We had one of our most uncomfortable bus rides to Sanjiang as they were building a new road  including half a dozen new bridges for the entire route. That meant our crammed bus had to go on bumpy dirt tracks extending what should have been a two hour journey to four. The fact is travelling in China means you have to put up with this kind of thing as they are developing the transport infrastructure at such a manic pace.  

Once we arrived we realised we would not have enough cash to last us a further four days out in the sticks, before reaching the next big town. No problem we thought in a town of 300,000 people, there is bound to be an ATM and money changing facilities. Oh no! After racing around in a tuk tuk with no success we had learnt our lesson that you can not just look at the population numbers. The 300,000 in this town were mostly farmers and peasants. People who clearly do not have cash cards or ever need to change currency. Very different from  other towns in the same Province who are rapidly marching towards a more advanced, Western style economy.  Another of the many stark contrasts in this fascinating country. Luckily for us we spotted another western tourist who exchanged some dollars for us. Phew! 

We got a bus to the Wind and Rain Bridge outside Sanjiang and stayed in a very small family guesthouse- we were the only guests. They cooked a delicious meal for us which we ate sat on little stools in their shop-come-lounge downstairs. We took a walk around the Dong minority village across the bridge and the next day changed our plan and ditched more countryside for a taste of city life.