Eastern Maoxian is traveled through often, in the passerby sense. The fast train station is located here, where many ride into and from Chengdu. Travelers typically arrive at the train station without spending much time in the immediate surroundings, before getting a ride to Fengyi (about a 30-minute drive).

This “east wing” of Maoxian is composed of two very close neighbors: the towns of Fushun (富顺) and Tumen (土门). Suffice to say, they are down from the road from each other. Somebody who lives in Fushun might work in Tumen, and vice versa. In fact, I would say people generally don’t really distinguish between the two towns, it’s thought of as one general area, except for official/administrative purposes. Most of the time, it seems to me at least, people just consider the whole wing (east of Fengyi) as Tumen. It’s the same zigzag road to get to either place.

Fushun did not really stand out very much at first. For the most part it’s spread out, like most towns. There’s seemingly no big sight to see. Upon visiting the evidently-still-developing tourist spot. Well, it’s more of a meadow or hill with some colorful decorations and flowers, various construction equipment, and distant views. While it’s a bit strange to me how this small area is being developed, since it’s not a part of Fushun that one would come across naturally, I wish the best for it. I kind of get it, the mountains look good from here. There is a row of tiny new cabins near the top of the meadow, presumably lodging, deliberately picturesque, which are either unfinished or vacant. And a small decorative windmill. It’s European-inspired, but the lack of any other visitors makes it eerie. But if it ever blows up on social media that will change.

I have written about Tumen before. The first time I visited was last winter. Its famous site is the Sanyuan Bridge (or “No. 3”), an aging moon bridge, which I specifically have seen on two occasions now. There is a footpath on the other side of the bridge that leads to another bridge, and beyond it, a hiking/harvesting trail. However, visiting this time unfortunately much of the path appeared overgrown, thick with foliage. Thus, shamefully, I didn’t traverse as much as I hoped to. That untrodden portion remains. Although I like how it all looks this way- dense, green, mysterious.

There is undoubtedly more to Tumen than the bridge, yet I still fail to investigate it. I did at least remember to take photos of the inscriptions on the bridge this time. I want to say they are from when some soldiers traveled through, maybe about 80 years ago. I should really check on that.

FUSHUN 富顺

TUMEN 土门