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Korea Herald
22-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
With 'smoke, fire and steam,' China's night markets erupt into life
ZHENGDING, China (China Daily/ANN) — As dusk falls over the ancient county of Zhengding in Hebei province, a remarkable transformation begins — a vast parking lot near the train station empties, making way for hundreds of brightly lit food carts. Within hours, the Zhengding Small Commodities Night Market erupts into life — a symphony of sizzling pans, shouting vendors, and the chatter of thousands of eager visitors. This nightly scene pulses with yanhuoqi — literally "smoke, fire and steam" — providing a lively, lantern-lit atmosphere fundamental to Chinese night markets. Remarkably, Zhengding's connection to this vibrant nightlife stretches back more than 10 centuries. During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), as China gradually abolished curfews, Zhengding (then Zhending) emerged as a regional administrative center and one of the pioneers of nighttime commerce. "Zhengding is a place with a night economy that emerged from over 1,000 years ago," said Liang Yong, a researcher at the Hebei Provincial Institute of Culture and History. According to Liang, the county's strategic importance and strong commercial base fostered early forms of night markets. Later, during the Mongol Empire and the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), it became the birthplace of zaju, Chinese variety dramas, further boosting nighttime gatherings. Historical records, like those by the 14th-century scholar Naxin, describing lantern-lit crowds near Yanghe Tower, filled with theaters and wealthy traders, paint a picture of enduring nocturnal energy. Naxin, also known by his ethnic name Geluolu Naixian, wrote Heshuo Fanggu Ji — a record of his visits to ancient sites around the Yellow River basin and various northern regions. Compiled during his 14th-century travels, it documented the vibrant fusion of entertainment, dining, and international commerce around the tower. In 2012, Li Zhangchao, one of the founders of the greater Zhengding Small Commodities Market, put forward an initiative encouraging mall tenants inside the market complex to set up evening stalls in a vast adjacent street and parking lot. "Back then, Zhengding was dark by 9 pm," said Li, now 72, who recalled that back then he couldn't find anything to eat or buy at night. However, his initiative soon got off the ground. "The location was strategic — an urban-rural fringe bordering villages like Sanjiao and Yong'an," said Liu Guangdi, chairman of the Zhengding Small Commodities City Group, which manages the market and the nearby wholesale-retail complex. As rural residents returned home from city jobs in the evenings, dense pedestrian flows created strong demand for snacks and small goods, she added. According to Liu, the market grew naturally. Streetlights were installed, hours were extended, and fees were initially waived to attract vendors. During urban upgrades of the county, authorities also channeled street vendors into the designated market zone. Tasting success Today, the market is a popular landmark, covering 10,000 square meters and with over 600 stalls. It attracts 10,000 to 30,000 visitors nightly, and generated an estimated 400 million yuan ($55.8 million) in annual revenue last year. It has created 2,500 jobs, particularly for those without higher education, said Liu. At its heart, are entrepreneurs like 39-year-old Lu Yang whose journey is an example of the market's ability to change people's lives. Arriving in 2019, after his parents' street vending business failed in nearby Shijiazhuang, Lu tried a number of food ventures before spotting a gap in the night market — hearty, savory staples for northern palates. He then traveled to Wuhan, Hubei province, to master how to make reganmian, or hot dry noodles. "People in northern China crave saltiness, rather than sweetness," Lu said. After two years of trial and error, he abandoned sugar and bean sprouts, and chose nine toppings favored by customers in Zhengding, including pickled beans, peanuts, chili oil, and scallions. "It was a painful process," Lu said. "Every failed attempt meant wasted ingredients." But his persistence paid off. A breakthrough came courtesy of his smartphone. He started filming his steaming kitchen, along with snaking lines and satisfied customers, and posted clips on social media platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, or RedNote. His number of followers soared to 100,000, landing his stall on local "must-eat" lists. His sales of reganmian exploded to 700 to 800 bowls midweek and over 1,000 on weekends. Lu now employs seven workers and rents four adjacent stalls just to keep up with demand. "During the peak last April, I survived on three hours' sleep for 20 days," he recalled, wiping sweat from his brow as it neared midnight, his shirt dusted with flour. He proudly said that while nearly 20 stalls sold hot dry noodles during last year's peak, now only a few "winners" like him are left. A social media post went viral in April 2024, attracting over 100,000 daily visitors at one point. The number of visitors reached 3 million last year, according to Liu, from the market management group. "It's impressively large and lively, with affordable food from across China, though I'd like to see more distinctive Zhengding snacks among the offerings," said Zhang Long, a Beijing resident who traveled to the county after seeing stories about it online. He visited the market with several friends. "When we went in, we were all very hungry. When we came out, we felt like we were about to burst. There was so much delicious food. We couldn't even eat it all," Zhang said. Wang Li, 42, a local middle school Chinese teacher and mother of two, said her family's weekly ritual is to cycle 3 kilometers to the night market to eat. "It has become a must-go recreational place for us locals," she said. "Seeing our county's humble market trend nationally feels incredible. It proves just how expansive and delicious our offerings are," she said proudly. Ensuring quality The numerous visitors to the night market brought not only locals' pride, and fame and stronger sales for the market, but also significant challenges, Liu said. At the time, visitors complained about traffic gridlock, excess garbage, and spotty mobile signals hindering payments. "Although our night market is quite large, its capacity is limited. Therefore, when there was a sudden surge in visitors last year, it led to some negative experiences, such as having to queue up at every food stall," Liu said, adding they immediately sought to solve the issues with strong support from the local government. Among many measures, network providers upgraded base stations and deployed 5G micro-stations. The market added 50 cleaners and a 6-metric-ton mobile garbage compactor. Portable toilets were installed to address long lines for the bathroom. Cao Ming, from the Zhengding County Urban Management Bureau, said their multipronged approach included strict food hygiene protocols, enhanced sanitation, dedicated patrols for order and safety, and a "specialized cylinder" system for gas safety. "We practice precision management with friendly service, so visitors can have a good experience here in Zhengding," Cao said. Zhao Yanling, 53, sells handmade dumplings. He said quality is non-negotiable when it comes to customers' satisfaction. "We use only fresh pork slaughtered the same day, not frozen, and fresh vegetables — no shortcuts. Customers trust us," he said. With 11 different fillings, his commitment to quality has paid off. "Quality comes first, and slowly but surely, the number of repeat customers is increasing," Zhao said. His stall's success allowed him to buy two family apartments in Zhengding. "I came with nothing," Zhao said, adding he is grateful for the opportunity the market provided, especially with the help and guidance from founder Li Zhangchao on fair stall rentals and running a food business. Increasing numbers of visitors have further propelled Zhengding's overall tourism, which features night tours of ancient city walls and light shows near temples. The county's tourism has swelled in popularity in recent years after upgrades to its ancient sites and tourism spots. Hotels near the market have reported 40 percent occupancy spikes, and taxi drivers' nightly earnings have doubled, Liu said. "The night market and cultural tourism fuel each other," said Zhang Xiaofang, deputy director of Zhengding's culture and tourism bureau. The county has leveraged its heritage, integrating the market with scenic night views, light shows, and night tours at scenic spots like Rongguo Mansion, Zhang said. Free parking across the county and access to drinking water at key attractions have also boosted visitor satisfaction. 'Sleepless city' awakes In another ancient capital, Kaifeng in Henan province, the legacy of a 1,000-year-old night market is being kept alive through an emphasis on immersive cultural heritage. Kaifeng, also known as Dongjing, was the eastern capital during the Northern Song period. A vivid description from the Song Dynasty chronicle Dongjing Meng Hua Lu — Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor — captures the nocturnal activities of the former imperial capital: "Night markets lasted until the third watch or midnight, and reopened as early as the fifth watch at around 3 to 5 am". Today, Kaifeng has transformed this heritage into Dasongbuyecheng or the Great Song Dynasty Sleepless City, where a dazzling tapestry of history, culture and modern vitality intertwine after dark. "Kaifeng's night markets are a living continuation of a thousand years of Song Dynasty charm," said Guo Juan, director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Division at Kaifeng's Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau. "From the night bustle of the Northern Song era to today's night markets, they fundamentally reflect the Chinese yearning for vibrant nighttime cultural life," she said. Kaifeng now boasts two national-level and eight provincial-level nighttime cultural tourism consumption clusters, as well as 12 scenic spots operating night tours, forming a rich "sleepless city" portfolio, Guo said. "People taste delicious food, and feel the depth of culture at the same time," she said. Hui Dong, an associate professor of the School of History and Culture at Henan University, said Kaifeng's advantage lies in its deep-rooted night market cultural tradition. "The night markets here have transcended the realm of pure dining, forming a multidimensional night economy ecosystem where diverse elements converge and integrate," Hui said. For Bai Jianchao, a 4th-generation inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage known as Bainian Baiji peanut cake craft, this revival is exciting. "From our single-flavor handmade cakes in 1912 to today's cultural-creative product lines, it's been a century of integrating heritage and innovation," he said. Young people dressed in hanfu, a traditional Chinese garment, at night markets, and parents teaching their children traditional crafts are evidence of a cultural resurgence, he said. "This is cultural confidence made tangible," he said. Bai believes places like Zhengding, Kaifeng, and Zibo in Shandong province, which saw a barbecue craze in 2023, are linked by a common cultural thread. "From Zibo's BBQ craze to Kaifeng's continuing buzz and Zhengding's authentic vibe, it's about fulfilling a basic need for yanhuoqi for ordinary people," Bai said, adding it is more attractive than high-end consumption to most people. He believes the ancient tradition of night markets is experiencing a vibrant renaissance. "Each model, though distinct, powerfully demonstrates the enduring economic engine and cultural magnetism of yanhuoqi, or lantern-lit vibrancy," said Bai, adding the markets provide livelihoods for thousands, offer affordable enjoyment for millions, and serve as potent symbols of local identity and cultural confidence.
West Australian
20-07-2025
- West Australian
Exhausted by the inexhaustible people of Qianmen Street
'The taste of childhood!' it says on the Beijing shopfront. And admittedly, as I bite into the candied haw, or Tanghulu, I am reminded of the toffee apples I once enjoyed as a child. However this traditional Chinese street food, made from skewering tart hawthorn berries on a bamboo stick before encasing them in sugar syrup, could not be more different. Neither could the bustling Qianmen Street and Dashilan be more different from Perth's Hay Street Mall. Beijing is home to nearly 22 million people. And right now, on a late Friday afternoon in summer, it feels like every one of them has converged on this popular cultural and commercial part of the city's Xicheng and Dongcheng districts. There is an old poem about Qianmen Street which goes: 'The green and the red are setting off each other on both sides of road; it is a busy street with happy and inexhaustible people.' It's these happy and inexhaustible people who still flock here in their thousands every day to enjoy the markets and other shops selling wares ancient and modern. Dongcheng takes in the eastern half of the old imperial city and many of Beijing's most famous landmarks including the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and a section of the Grand Canal. Xicheng district by contrast is home to many of China's most important government institutions, including the headquarters of the Communist Party of China, the National People's Congress, the State Council, and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. So you could say there's a lot to see. Unfortunately my two travelling companions and I, who had just shut up shop at the Beijing International Book Fair before deciding we'd treat ourselves to a few hours sightseeing, hadn't fully comprehended the nightmare that is Friday peak hour traffic in Beijing. Therefore, a couple of hours later, we jump out at Qianmen Street and plunge into the vast sea of humanity, content to spend the next hour or so just taking in the sights and sounds here and in nearby Dashilan. The former dates from the Ming Dynasty; the latter, from the Yuan Dynasty, boasts Ming and Qing courtyard houses and hutongs, or narrow laneways. The former is famous, amongst many other things, for its Quanjde Roast Duck and its markets; the latter for Tongrentang (a Chinese medicine company) and such speciality stores as milliner Ma Ju Yuan and shoemaker Neiliansheng. Upon arriving, I also note the Zhengyangmen Archery Tower (1419), which lies at the southern end of Tiananmen Square along Beijing's central axis, and the northern end of Qianmen Street. Along with families, couples and others out for the night, we dart from shops specialising in pickles and books to purveyors of alcoholic beverages and cosmetics, stopping just long enough to grab another snack in the form of a Great Wall yogurt (delicious!) before calling for another taxi back to our hotel. Back in my room, I flop on the bed, utterly exhausted — but happy. + Will Yeoman travelled to Beijing as a guest of the Fableration Foundation. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication.
Japan Forward
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
Emperor Naruhito's Remarks Ahead of His Mongolia Visit
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako departed for their official visit to Mongolia as State Guests on July 6. A few days earlier, on July 2, Emperor Naruhito held a press conference at the Shakkyo-no-Ma drawing room in the Imperial Palace to discuss his hopes. The following is an unofficial English translation of His Majesty's remarks. Subheadings have been added for readability. Part 1 of 2 We are deeply honored to have received an invitation from the Government of Mongolia. I am very pleased to be visiting the country together with Empress Masako. We had the pleasure of welcoming President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh and the First Lady to the Imperial Palace in 2022. Since attending a morin khuur [horsehead fiddle] concert together, we have received several kind invitations from them. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Mongolia for their gracious invitation." This will be my second visit to Mongolia since my first in 2007. On that occasion, I was warmly welcomed by the Mongolian people. I had the honor of attending the opening ceremony of Naadam, the country's largest annual celebration, and was guided by then-President [Nambaryn] Enkhbayar through the festivities. These included traditional wrestling, archery, and horse racing — all of which I enjoyed very much. I was also deeply impressed by Mongolia's magnificent natural landscapes, the traditional gers [nomadic dwellings], and the lives of people coexisting with horses and sheep. During this upcoming visit, I look forward once again to attending the opening ceremony of Naadam with President Khurelsukh and the First Lady, and to watching the competitions. I also anticipate visiting Hustai National Park, home to the Przewalski's horse, and experiencing the majesty of Mongolia's natural environment firsthand. Additionally, I hope to observe how the country has changed since my last visit in 2007. With these reflections in mind, I would like to discuss some key points that I am especially interested in during this visit to Mongolia. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress are welcomed by Japanese residents upon arriving at a hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on July 6. (Pool photo) First, through this visit, I hope to reflect on the long history of interaction between Japan and Mongolia. The historical relationship dates back to the 13th century, during the time of the so-called Mongol invasions. I recall visiting Kyushu during a university seminar on medieval Japanese history and seeing the defensive walls built in preparation for the Mongol forces — then known as the Yuan Dynasty — as well as burial mounds for Yuan soldiers. Furthermore, just two years ago, I had the opportunity to view the "Moko Shurai Ekotoba" (Illustrated Account of the Mongol Invasions), a picture scroll vividly depicting those events from the Kamakura period, together with Masako and Aiko, at an exhibition held at the Sannomaru Shozokan in the Imperial Palace. While the relationship with the Yuan is often remembered through such images of conflict and invasion, there was also active exchange, such as the movement of Zen monks between the two countries. For example, the distinguished Zen monk Yishan Yining was entrusted with a state letter by Temür Khan of Yuan and came to Japan in 1299. He resided at Kencho-ji and Engaku-ji temples in Kamakura, mentored disciples, and significantly influenced the development of Zen culture in Japan. In terms of trade, it is known that in 1278 — between the two Mongol invasions — Kublai Khan of Yuan granted permission for trade with Japan, and trade between the two countries flourished in the 14th century. As a student of medieval Japanese history, I find it particularly interesting to learn that there were active exchanges of people and goods even during this turbulent period. Moreover, Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, has long been a subject of fascination in Japan. He has been depicted as a heroic figure in novels, and there has even been a theory suggesting that he and Minamoto no Yoshitsune were the same person. I hope this visit will serve as an opportunity to deepen our understanding of him further. Receiving this kind invitation to visit Mongolia for the purpose of friendship and goodwill feels, in some respects, like a continuation of the historical ties I have studied. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress toast with Mongolian President Khurelsukh at a banquet on July 8, Ulaanbaatar. (Pool photo) Today, Japan and Mongolia enjoy active exchanges in a wide range of fields, such as human resource development, manufacturing, and healthcare. For example, in 2007, there were approximately 1,100 Mongolian students in Japan. That number has more than quadrupled in the past 20 years. Mongolian-born sumo wrestlers such as Hoshoryu and Kirishima are also active in Japan. I have also heard that members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers are making significant contributions in Mongolia. I am pleased to see that these people-to-people exchanges are contributing to the development of bilateral cooperation. With these long-standing ties in mind, I look forward during our visit to meeting with a broad range of individuals including the President and First Lady, members of the Japanese community in Mongolia, and Mongolian people with connections to Japan, and to hearing their perspectives on the history and current state of our bilateral relations. I also hope that this visit will help to further promote exchange between the younger generations of our two countries and foster deeper mutual understanding and friendship in the years to come. One of our destinations will be the Mongol Kosen College of Technology, which I understand is the first of its kind to be established outside Japan based on the Japanese model of Kosen (technical colleges). I am also looking forward to engaging directly with students and children at the Shine Mongol School, which incorporates Japanese-style education, and at Ulaanbaatar's School No 149, which was established with Japanese support. In preparation for the visit, Masako and I have been talking about my previous experience in Mongolia and listening to experts on the country. While paying close attention to her health, she is also eager to visit Mongolia, keeping in mind the long-standing ties between our peoples. She hopes to deepen friendship and goodwill between our nations by directly experiencing Mongolia's natural beauty, history, and culture, and by meeting its people. During the last great war, many precious lives were lost across the world, and countless individuals endured great hardship and sorrow. It is deeply painful to consider this. I believe it is essential to remember those who lost their lives, to deepen our understanding of history, and to foster a spirit that values peace. It is said that approximately 14,000 Japanese detainees were transferred to Mongolia during the postwar Siberian internment, and around 2,000 of them, sadly, lost their lives. At the same time, it is also said that the detainees contributed significantly, even under harsh conditions, to the construction of buildings such as government offices and the National Opera and Ballet Theatre — structures still in use today — and that they earned the respect of the Mongolian people. During my previous visit, I was deeply impressed by the grand National Opera and Ballet Theatre near Sükhbaatar Square in central Ulaanbaatar. Later, I learned from Shiba Ryotaro's Mongol Travelogue that this building was constructed by Japanese prisoners of war during the last war. I reflected on the hardships they must have faced in the harsh, bitter cold. I also vividly remember meeting Mr Yukio Kasuga, who, despite having been interned in Mongolia, went on to run an orphanage for Mongolian children. During this visit, I would also like to offer flowers at the memorial for deceased Japanese nationals. I hope to reflect upon history and pay heartfelt tribute to those who lost their lives far from home, thinking deeply of their suffering and sacrifice. ( Read the report in Japanese . ) Author: The Sankei Shimbun and JAPAN Forward
Business Upturn
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Global Times: Fashion textile expert finds passion in decoding ancient silk legacy
Beijing, China, July 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With her short hair and bubbly personality, Yang Jiyuan is a bit of a pleasant mystery. She admittedly loves cats and toys packed in blind boxes in her daily life. But once she steps into the laboratory, a seeming alter ego emerges at work. She is a calm and meticulous protector of ancient silk textiles, having successfully replicated an ancient China's lightest silk garment, weighing only 49 grams, with days and nights of patience. Including the piece that is called 'plain unlined gauze gown,' Yang's dedication to work has enabled her to recreate multiple long-lost garments. Yet these feats alone cannot fully capture her career passion. Yang told the Global Times that what she truly seeks is to uncover 'the ancient wisdom and humanistic stories behind Chinese silk.' 'Prefer to stay grounded' Yang is an inheritor of China's Intangible Culture Heritage (ICH) yunjinbrocade, a traditional silk fabric rooted in Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) culture from Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province. Her expertise in silk textiles, however, extends far beyond just this brocade alone. Before entering the field of ancient silk textile conservation, Yang had already been a rising talent in the contemporary sector of the industry. At that time, she was in her early 30s, but had already had opportunities working with widely known haute couture designers like Laurence Xu, crafting 'red-carpet' statement garment for celebrities for global shows such as the Cannes Film Festival and Milano Fashion Week in Europe. Seeing fabrics she crafted gracing stages overseas once thrilled Yang, but years of experiencing the vanity fair-like glitz and glamour in overseas fashion circles gradually left her weary, prompting her to ask 'What am I truly pursuing?' 'Under neon lights and constant jet leg, I grew increasingly aware of how so-called 'prestige' can feel superfluous,' Yang noted, adding that she 'preferred to stay grounded.' Driven by such a thought, Yang returned to China and chose to enroll in a training program launched by the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) in 2013. From the glare of camera flashes to the glow of lab lamps, Yang's training journey transition was not always easy. She told the Global Times that, while dusk settled and fellow trainees departed one by one, only she and her closest colleague would still be hunched over the work table. 'We often worked until midnight. If we got hungry, we'd use a little stove typically used for fabric dyeing to cook instant noodles,' she said, adding that such experiences somehow intensified her passion for ancient silk textiles. Though the training experience was intense, it opened a new door to her career, allowing her to see and touch real garments unearthed from ancient sites such as the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD25) Mawangdui tomb and the Dingling Mausoleum dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In 2017, she was commissioned by the Hunan Museum to restore the one-and-only plain unlined gauze gown that is a national first-class relic. The piece has more than 2,000 years of history. Weighing a mere 49 grams, it could easily fit inside a matchbox when folded. The reproduction of such a delicate artifact inevitably brought pressure. 'When we were collecting data on the relic,' Yang recalled, 'even speaking slightly louder could make it flutter from our breath.' The greatest technical challenge in replicating this garment lay not in its cut or style, but in recreating its antique appearance and astonishing lightness. To match the original's weight, Yang and her team creatively put silkworms on a controlled 'diet' to produce finer threads. After numerous tries, an accidental black tea spill on her table inspired her to use tea and color-fixing agents as the dyes for the garment's subtle earthy yellow color. 'I still remember, my eyes were teary when delivered this replica successfully to the museum,' said Yang. Wisdoms behind the silk With her proven expertise in replicating the national first-class gauze treasure, Yang was entrusted with an even more challenging task, to recreate a Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD25) printed and painted floss silk-padded gauze robe, a piece that is even more challenging than the former. The robe consisted of seven gauze layers, each merely one-third the thickness of a tissue paper. Yet what astonished Yang most wasn't this intricate textile structure, but its densely intricate patterns revealed under a microscope. She told the Global Times that they were like an awe-inspiring testament to ancient artisans' precision. While restoring another piece of zhijin brocade (gold-woven silk fabric), she noticed variations in the sheen of its gold threads. Under a microscope, she uncovered ancient craftsmen's secret that they had mixed genuine gold threads with imitation ones to cut corners and lower fabric production costs. 'I felt I could communicate with those ancient craftsmen through touching the piece,' Yang noted. The more she handled ancient textiles, the better she understood the stories of ancient makers. She said that despite lacking advanced technology, ancient Chinese craftsmanship possessed astonishing wisdom, especially integrating diverse techniques. And this has also inspired Yang. She told the Global Times that she experimented on mixing silk and ceramics to make brooches. 'The boundary-defying genius of old masters,' she muses, 'lives on in our hands.' Song Jiabao also contributed to the story. This story first appeared in Global Times: Company: Global TimesContact Person: Anna Li Email: [email protected] Website: Beijing Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Borneo Post
22-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
A Chinese cultural guardian holds heritage in his hands
A group of international students majoring in Chinese studies at Zhejiang University learn the steps of mounting and restoring Chinese paintings at Wu Jianjiang's workshop in Tianshi Township, Xianju County, Taizhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 30, 2025. (Xinhua) HANGZHOU (June 23): During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Ke Jiusi, a scholar and art connoisseur from the quiet hills of Xianju County in Zhejiang Province, east China, earned renown for his discerning eye and deep reverence for cultural relics. Serving as a trusted official at the imperial court, he catalogued, preserved and protected priceless works of art, laying foundations for China's enduring tradition of cultural preservation. More than seven centuries later, in the same land that once nurtured Ke's passion for heritage, another guardian carries that torch forward. For over 30 years, Wu Jianjiang, now 57, has worked as a restorer in Tianshi Township, rural Xianju, dedicating his life to breathing new life into broken relics, repairing faded paintings, and weathered manuscripts with precision, patience, and quiet devotion. Yet three decades ago, Wu nearly walked a very different path. In the 1980s, amid a nationwide martial arts fervor, 16-year-old Wu left home, drifting between schools and training centers, determined to master the discipline. By 27, he had built a name for himself. Years of practice had paid off, and he was offered a position in the city as a martial arts instructor, an opportunity many from mountain villages could only dream of. Yet a quiet crossroads emerged. 'The years I spent studying martial arts gradually drew me closer to traditional culture,' Wu recalled. 'I realized that back in my hometown, unlike martial arts, the preservation of cultural relics was a neglected tradition that needed urgent attention.' At the time, few in rural China understood cultural restoration. For Wu, choosing that path meant walking away from years of hard-earned success and returning to the countryside, with no promise he would ever leave again. 'When I told people I wanted to go back to my hometown and work on restoring cultural relics, some relatives and friends tried to talk me out of it,' Wu said. After all, a chance to leave the mountains often came only once. The more Wu immersed himself in rural life, the more he noticed what was absent. While martial arts flourished in schools and festivals, other traditions — calligraphy, painting, and artifact restoration — remained overlooked. 'Why should cultural heritage only thrive in big cities?' He posed the question. 'If we want culture to truly endure, it must live in the villages too, where so much of it began.' Wu drew quiet strength from his father. Though untrained in the arts, his father always supported Wu's curiosity and purpose. 'He didn't really understand the field, but he trusted me. That gave me the confidence I needed.' So he stepped, without hesitation, into an entirely unfamiliar world. Through a friend, Wu met Qian Lixin, a master of painting and calligraphy at the renowned Xiling Seal Engravers' Society, the oldest arts union in China and one of China's most important traditional stone seal engraving associations. Qian accepted him as his last formal disciple, opening the door to a centuries-old craft. From novice to mentor, Wu immersed himself in years of study and hands-on practice. Nearly three decades later, he is now a recognized name in the field. Over the years, he has restored more than 300 works, ranging from Ming and Qing dynasty (1368-1911) paintings to rare modern calligraphy and ancient manuscripts. Under his hands, the scars left by time and neglect are carefully mended; each artifact brought back to life with reverence. Mounting and restoring ancient paintings demand not only technical mastery but also the ability to adapt with the times. Wu understood early on that preserving this tradition required more than solitary dedication — it needed education, innovation, and connection to the community. In 2014, he founded a mounting and restoration institute in Tianshi Township, the very place where his journey began. 'It wasn't just sentiment,' Wu said. 'Tianshi is my ancestral home. It has beautiful scenery and deep cultural roots.' The community welcomed his return with quiet pride, viewing his efforts as a bridge to the region's artistic legacy and an inspiration to the younger generation. Three years later, the institute expanded into a full-fledged academy, with growing missions in training, preservation, and public engagement. To date, more than 1,300 students have trained under Wu. They range in age from teenagers to elders in their seventies, and many come from abroad. In April, a group of 25 international students majoring in Chinese studies at Zhejiang University, hailing from over ten countries, including Italy, Australia, and the Netherlands, visited Wu's academy. Inside the workshop, Wu demonstrated the intricate steps of mounting and restoring Chinese paintings, from preparing the paper to applying paste with calm precision. Each movement carried a rhythm that left visitors in quiet awe. Through hands-on exchange, a centuries-old Chinese tradition revealed its quiet strength to the world. 'In a time of mass production, what moved me most is the Chinese artisan's deep respect for materials and his extraordinary patience with time,' said Federico, a student from Italy. 'That's the kind of human spirit we're missing in the industrial age.' Walking through the academy, visitors encountered a wall lined with before-and-after images of restored paintings. Each frame tells a story — not just of pigment and paper, but of time reclaimed. Wu remembers every piece. For each, he can recount its origin, its damage, and the choices made during restoration with the clarity of someone who has lived beside them. 'In some of the older scrolls, we can still see traces left by earlier restorers, subtle patches, new backings, brushwork slightly different in hand,' Wu said. 'It's like having a quiet conversation across time.' To Wu, restoration is more than a craft. It's a responsibility — a handover of history and a dialogue with ancestors. It is about repairing what was broken, preserving what was fading, and passing forward what once seemed lost. 'Traditional culture must be carried forward by someone,' Wu said. 'It can't remain only a memory. It must become a living craft for the next generation.' – Xinhua Arts and Culture China cultural relics
