My route was Fanjing Mountain, Yinjiang, Dejiang, Wuchuan (rest day), Daozhen, Nanchuan and Chongqing.
Most of the roads were good, but some sections were unpaved or had a thin layer of mud. Some of the tunnels were unlit and dusty, making them quite scary.
There is little reason for foreigners to visit these cities. Everywhere locals wanted to practise their English or take photos with me.
Hotels inform police when foreigners check in. On no less than 3 occasions, they sent out officers to interview me. I tried to be as friendly as possible.
I have a translator app, but if you travel without one in rural China, I suggest than you work out a way to volunteer some basic info about yourself: How many people are traveling with you. Where have you been today. How many days will you stay here. What is your next destination. What is your phone number. What do you intend to do with the photos you take.
Baidu Maps put me on these smaller cement roads. Many motorists also use the shortcut. In this case two cars struggled to get past each other. One folded his side mirror and then crept past.
Landslide debris blocked this road. Authorities placed cinder blocks to prevent cars and scooters from passing. I took a detour together with some pedestrians.
This American helped defend China from Japan during WWII. Chongqing was the largest Chinese city not occupied by the Japanese and so became the capital of China.
