1930s China through American eyes

A caravan of camels outside the city walls, Peiping

In spite of the rapid advance of railways and motorized traffic, one can still see great tea caravans encamped just outside the gates of Peiping. From dawn to the setting of the sun there is an almost endless heat. The caravans of today bring furs, lumber, ponies, sheep and mules.

These camels are unlike the camels of Egypt and Arabia. Those camels have but one hump, while these you will note have two. These are called Bactrian camels.

The people who conduct these caravans are hardy Mongols, both men and women, with darkened and weathered visages. They are the descendents of the powerful Mongol hordes. Descendents also of Genghis and Kublai Khan are they, and when they pass away they will leave behind them the traditions and records of a brilliant past.

[Photo provided to China Daily/Keystone View Company]