The constructed Chinese 'authentic' village (full documentary)
Well! Folks! I am stone. That's right, It's me, Stone. 100 some years ago, a fine fellow named Mr. X thought, Hey! Wouldn't it be a great idea to snatch here from the village wall and make me a fancy new foundation for my house? Ding-Ding! That's how I ended up here, in all my stony glory. All righty, let's get to the nitty gritty. A normal day in 81 usually starts like this: Uncle M, wakes up at 05:32, right before sunrise and starts making soup.
There used to be a breakfast room next door. But since not many tourists are visiting, the shop mostly remains idle and closed. Um... Uncle M thought, they might really like my soup and bao. If the breakfast room opens up again, I see eager folks in a line, spoons at the ready. The aroma of my dishes fills the air, promising a culinary delight.
In that cozy room, amidst clinking cutlery and joyful gasps, my creations become shared moments of indulgence. For me, it's not just food, it's crafting connections through flavors. I'll be there transforming ordinary mornings into extraordinary culinary adventures, one spoonful at a time. As the flavors meld and dance, I find my purpose: in the art of crafting meals that not only satiate hunger but also nourish the soul. These breakfasts are more than just a meal, they are a symphony of taste, a celebration of connection, and a testament to the beauty of patience and precision.
Uncle M likes his soup to be boiled for precisely 7 minutes and 24 seconds, while waiting for his breakfast he said this to himself, No study groups visiting today, eh? And, I didn't see anyone come over yesterday. Live in here in peace. Ain't half bad, I reckon, makes me wonder how those city folks would hold up if they had to stick around for more than a week. This here tranquility, it's got its own charm, don't it? Stop staring at me, Stone! Go on now, find yourself a different spot.
Show folks where the young ones like to hang out. Why are you still lingering round here? Let me tell you, I've been studying this painting for 617 good days. If you're so curious, this mural, Chinese masterpiece right here, it illustrates one of the 24 seasons, the Jieqi. I can remember this lunar calendar by heart since I was five. Now, the Jieqi, they're like, nature's own clock, marking the subtle shifts in the world around us from the chill of winter to the bloom of spring, and all the moments in between. Next to Uncle M is the Art Studio, he's a good fellow, believe it or not, he was once a dodgy old warehouse, or, so the locals say.
Now, he's the hottest spot in town for young folks, Sometimes I wonder whether he really enjoys being alone, but I remember once he told me that apart from hosting events for study groups here and there, he quite enjoys the solitude here. Anyway, see that? My neighbor, the Post! Perpetually on the lookout for those study groups, and that lantern, quite a touch. I must say, gives the place a daily festival vibe! This is Mr. S, he is off to do some field work during the height of the farming season. Mr. S has already finished harvesting peanut oil for this year and is now collecting peanut roots.
Like Mr. S, the entire village enjoys making their own peanut oil. Producing peanut cooking oil involves a lot of labor: Firstly, the harvest the peanut roots need to be stored and exposed to the sun. After several days of drying, villagers typically manually separate the monkey nuts from the roots, as if each nut were a real gem. They pick the monkey nuts from the roots one by one.
Then this raw nuts will be stored and exposed to the sun for further drying. It's blisteringly hot around here during their season, and the poor old monkey nuts crisping up faster than you can say heat wave. While Mr. S is busy packing the peanut roots, I've got something pretty cool to show you.
Check this out! Auntie X, the Picasso of Nuts drying, sets up her monkey nuts drawing operation right in front of her house under the landscape painting. Note: Not only does she cultivate a peanut garden, just in case they decide to go for a tumble, but she's also fortified the area with bricks. She takes monkey nuts drying to a whole new level and like many other villagers, she spots and picks up the bad nuts by hand one by one... You see, what a beautiful idea! Those monkey nuts under the painting, what a lovely scenery.
Speaking about the painting, back to Mr. S, like most of the villagers I too am a chatterbox. Well, Mr. S is a voluble gentleman as well, and I have learned a lot from him. Once he told me, for an old timer like myself, I believe Auntie X could agree with me, too.
I really enjoyed the paintings, I must say I rather fancy watching the village polished up a bit. It has become quite a pleasant place even though there aren't many youngsters around. Ah, and also, believe it or not, the concierges used to be my storage. It's a tiny, a bit inconvenient to drive an extra 153 meters to stash my tools, but the notion of converting my storage into the Academy's concierge was rather intriguing, I must say. And Mrs. C seems to quite enjoy her work there, too.
Pulling in an income of ¥2,400 per month, that allows her to be at home, earning a crust and minding the little ones all at the same time, not too shabby, eh? Quite the smashing arrangement, if I do say so. Anyone popping into our village can't help but support our genius in repurposing. We have transformed that old primary school into a fabulous hostel. All thanks to our design teams, magic touch. And if you take a look over there, and oh, right there, and well, here, too.
We're full of surprises! I saw this girl yesterday, you know, kind of wandering around. I bet she's on some top secret case study mission there, so I interviewed her and she goes: My initial idea was to spend a week here to visit old exhibition rooms. The accommodation area beautifully captures a blend of art, history and strategic planning. The Craftsman and Design Team did an impressive job, seamlessly incorporating local materials with high-tech replicas, to such an extent that even the mountains would be jealous. The exhibition rooms present a unique perspective, drawing inspiration from the past.
The design team, as well as the local governor, have repurposed and redesigned those historical sites into static narrative imitations. They've truly transformed that period of history into compelling fiction, haven't they? It appears both tourists and study tour members are quite taken with or buying into this kind of nostalgic material, aren't they? even if it's a reinterpretation or a crafted narrative, rather than a completely accurate historical depiction. Intriguingly, despite the diverse array of hostel room types available, study tour participants consistently show a preference for single rooms.
Notably, there's talk of the local government considering the launch of a similar hostel next year, aiming to accommodate an additional 70 guests. This is Mr. P, just one coat away from mastering the art of railing painting. As he applies the second coat, he gazes back the village, immediately attracted by the picturesque scenery. Then he speaks this to his heart: Wow, this place is like a fairy tale now. Is this a Chinese Disneyland? Is it a theme park? Is it's a resort or perhaps, a tourist destination? Are we in some sort of whimsical Chinese Disneyland now? What a magically surreal atmosphere! We have everything we need to attract tourists.
Soon travelers will be everywhere. I must finish this painting as soon as possible and join my colleagues. They are building a new fancy village wall and they are waiting for me. Behold, my dear comrades! It's lunch break and tourists are coming, even though they all come from different backgrounds. But they all like to take pictures, a lot of pictures like paparazzi on a caffeine high.
They like to take pictures in the fancy stage. they like to take pictures in the narrow alley, they like to take pictures in the cool pavilion, they shall never stop taking pictures. And we are meant to be a good place for photography. Well, um, actually, the pavilion is very cool place, it is slightly cooler than nearby buildings. Many villagers and chicken likes to use it as a shortcut, and really enjoy and stay there for small chat.
Sometimes I see Aunty W washing clothes here, it's ever so convenient, you know. But anyway, shall we return to the central square? The square is a favorite spot for travelers and nearby villagers. Each day, it bathes leisurely in the sunlight. Now and then, a few children from the neighboring village pay a visit attracted by the sports equipment. But when no one's around, the square wonders, why doesn't anyone come and dance with me? Just like what people do in a neighboring village? The small garden next to square is a popular one, it not only enhances the square's beauty, but also Uncle G's home. Uncle G can grow food there, and he loves it, so do the cats.
This is Muumuu, he grew up here and got himself quite the reputation for his Zen vibe and being the chilliest. He doesn't understand how solar panels work, but seeing more and more farmers has become affluent. He really doesn't mind one day some machine replacing him, cart, and Mr. & Mrs. Y in the field. Muumuu, on occasion, complains to me: Oh, the spectacle of my neighbors parading their cool cars.
Some of them bought Volkswagen Land Rover, and all those other fancy machines that I don't understand, makes me think, Mr. Y, should we start considering retiring? I mean, for three of us, and you must admit Uncle K's new Mercedes, it looks splendid. I've always believed Muumuu is right. Attention, please. Attention, please! Last chance to get on board the Extra-Super-Great-Wall experience.
Here, you'll find muddy bricks from the past, leftover bricks from the present, and high-tech bricks for the future. Tiles, stones, and mud, all mashed together in a glorious Shu Wang Jiangnan style! A truly unique and unforgettable experience, guaranteed! Snap as many pictures as you like. YES! YES! ALL FOR FREE! Don’t miss out! This is your last chance! This is your last chance! This is your last chance! Now, get this, this thresher in the museum. It's from Uncle K's private collection. He is donated it to the village, it's possibly the most vintage bit of kit.
I used to be extremely useful! Comrades! I was a grain thresher, people used to use me in the evenings when they were free or not attending classes. I know they like read a lot, but now I'm here is a display exhibit for educational propose, you know? It would be wonderful if I could thresh again, I do not know where the folks are now threshing, also have no idea where they are on the night school courses. But most of time I'm free, and I quite enjoy my solitude, just like, um, Granny Q. Granny Q enjoys wandering around the village. Sometimes she stops to chat with people, she stands alone and calmly at the end of the alley, every day to take some rest. She particularly loves the paintings on the walls, and, as you might already know, we have a lot of paintings here.
As the shadows lengthen and the skies dim, it's dinner o'clock, folks, all to be heading off, I hope they've had a great day today. Wait! Who is speaking? Yo, yo, yo, it's me. The supreme, the unmatched, the ultra-bright Max Pro Plus Screen! This is my first time rockin' it in the countryside, ready to drop some mega knowledge in relation to Hong'an County. In key certain period between 1930s-1980s, which is represented as ‘Red Culture’ in locality on these study tour members. But man, after they bounce, it gets really hot in here.
Just me, chilling in this huge room, bored and roasting. But hey, there's a silver lining! This place pops off with gala dinners and festivals, more people coming to check me out? Now that’d be sweet until next time. But remember, the countryside is a vast expanse where one can achieve great things. There are definitely good comments. Visitors come and say, “Wow, the village looks so pretty!” We hear a lot of good comments.
As for bad comments, I don’t think there are any. Everyone wants to make their hometown look a bit prettier, right? The first year after the renovation was finished, I felt fresh and excited. But I’ve been looking at it for so long now that the excitement is gone. To me, the village feels just okay. I’m from this village, a local, from Group 5 of Village 81.
My name is Xinxin. It’s probably because of time, there’s just no time to dance. Locals are always busy with agricultural work. In the afternoon, when neighbors invite us to dance, they’re too busy to go.
That’s why the square dance group broke up. Starting a business? I wouldn’t even know what to do. There’s no good development here (for starting a business in the village), and I haven’t figured out a good path. So for now, getting a regular job seems like the only option.
Starting something at home is tough, too. What could we even do? Agricultural by-products? That’s tiring and exhausting, and we just can’t keep up.
2025-01-09 09:59
