Open New Journey
On February 14th of 2018, Zenker Summer Camp Themed South Yunnan Humanity Trip was Officially kicked off.
DAY1
The Zenker winter campers, in face of the warm sunshine in winter, went straight towards Shiping county, Honghe state in south Yunnan when left Changshui airport of Kuming. We headed southward and went down all the way, with the elevation from 2000m down to 1000m, and temperature also from 23 up to 29 degree centigrade, and with golden rape flowers blooming along the roadsides.
We reached Shiping county nearly at sunset. After driving the narrow citywall door , we checked in a classic and elegant hotel in the ancient city. There were lots of dense tropical plants growing in the courtyard of hotel. It’s special that the entrance into each unit also had a small garden. After supper, mums yelled to go shopping to buy T-shirts and straw hats to confront hot sunlight tomorrow. In the intoxicating night , everything seems to be kind and peaceful in such a whistle stop of border area.
DAY2
It was the Eve of Chinese New Year. There was just tasteful Yunnan Rice Noodles for breakfast in the hotel and You could get extra meats sauces mixed with local pickles for free. It was the government institute in the past on the side of hotel. Two lions standing at both sides of the door seemed to murmurously roar: Shengtang (literally beginning court trial)....... Walking forward dozens of meters along the smooth stone way, it was Temple of Shiping county at the end of crossroad. There were Confucius Temple left in many counties of south Yunnan which showed that the custom of respecting teacher and taking teaching for granted had been there from ancient times. Recalling those days, students of Shiping county from here headed on the “Justice Way” to study Confucianism. Compared with Jianshui Confucius Temple, Shiping Confucius Temple was much smaller but also was historical, originated from Yuan Dynasty, having Dacheng Hall and Xianshi Hall. Especially the layers of eaves of “Lingxing Door”, were not the same grand as the Jianshui Confucius Temple, however, also different in approach but equally satisfactory in result. Maybe for Spring Festival Eve, there were a bit of tourists and we hardly seen staff. Only the old folks, in twos and threes, played chess and drunk morning tea in the rising sun. Children indulged in sunshine and strolled freely under the mottled shade of the ancient buildings.
Walking out of Confucius Temple, we walked to and fro along a long and peaceful alley. Getting through rows of buildings with gray tile and white wall,we arrived at the front of courtyard, the Shiping Museum, in front of which the board hanging in the giant tree written clearly Shiping Classic Learning Academy.
China Toona (a kind of tree, well known as toona ) fully burst into buds which couldn’t help reminding me of times 20 years ago--Also in spring, my friend and i checked in a stilled building inn located in the cliff of Chongqing Gongtan Town where the same tall China Toona also stood. We made a covered-bowl tea under the tree,lying on the bamboo chair,slowly enjoy a plate of egg fried with toona bubs,looking at the rushing river over the cliff where was the most famous beach.Sometimes,brave boatman were driving bamboo raft surfing through the risky waves like an arrow.It was dazzling for the rolling white waves in the blue river.Listening to the roaring,we just waited until sun set.Today, for building Wujiang power Station, that tree and Gongtan Town in the history of 1700 years all had been drown by water under the depths of 60m. Wujiang water in Gongtan was smooth as the mirror which seemed like a tamed horse and no roaring waves could be heared.So did our rushing Youth!
Shiping classic learning academy was the top local learning institute in the past.Getting through the memorial gate“Longmen”, there was a bright and clean lecture room, with the plaque “Sheng Ri Xing Xue” hanging in the middle. Sideroom for the students in old days taking the exams,was divided into lattice space,and on the sides of the room,there were some vivid wax images which presented the scene of discussion and chess-playing between teachers and students.Our little girl Yoyo and boy Keke impatiently entered into the lattice and took up the brush pen to experience the past examination.
We came to the Yilong Lake Wetland Park in the afternoon, several kilometers away from Shiping county.Yilong Lake was one of the top 9 plateau lakes in Yunnan, with square of 39 square kilometers,having beautiful views, and rich in wild birds.We took boating in the Yilong lake, a flock of Siberian Gulls playing by chasing the Boat, and children delightfully throwing the food towards the sky and lake to attract gulls flying ups and downs.Children’s laughter and birds’s sound mixed up,waving with wind on the lake which looked like playing a symphony of Spring sounds.
At night, the enthusiastic MR Wang of Yi minority canceled reunion with family members and especially cook the delicious wild fish hotpot for us in Yilong lake.During the meal, Mr Wang even sang a local Song ‘Haicai Qiang’(a kind of Yi minority Song) to entertain.Actually, he was one of inheritors of “Haicai Qiang”.his sonorous singing with rich ethical characters surprised all present.
After supper, parents set up colorful tents to prepare for enjoying the Eve and camping.And the children was playing the archery. The traditional bows and arrow targets were what we especially brought from Chongqing.
When the night fell,friends from Yi minority lighted thriving bonfire around which all of us sang,danced,and blessed each other.
It’s far into night when we went back to the camps.Mr Wang had already send person to prepare the seasonings and barbecue grills.Mothers individually show their magic power, some roasting chicken legs and some tomatoes while fathers were busy in flying the Kongming Lantern with their children.For a while, in children’s hurrah, the Lanterns with beautiful blessings flied into the star-crossed sky and then became the little lights disappeared in the dark night. “Could my wishes on the lantern come true?” A little boy shamefully ask his father. “It must do. God had already got them.”said father.
I believed that all of us would remember Spring Festival 2018- a beautiful and special Chinese New Year Eve by the Yilong lake in south Yunnan.
DAY3
In the morning of New Year’s Day, once day broken,I went out of the camp ,and were suddenly attractive by the distant scenery. I saw that a little light from the eastern skyline became a magnificent morning glow at once.
After Packing everything, we drive around the lake and came to the Laihe Pavilion wetland, five kilometers away.Just now the clear and transparent Yilong lake suddenly rised layers of fog which covered the flowers and trees. Then, the distant Laihe pavilion,partly hidden and partly visible, seemed like fairyland.
Never say you’re earlier, someone will be the earliest.In front of the Temple at the foot of Laihe Pavilion were filled with incense sticks where continuous smoke took wind into the sky.
Climbing on to the top of hill, you could get bird’s eye views of the whole wetland.I think Lv Dongbin (A hero in early Chinese literature ) living in the Laihe pavillion was really happy to enjoy the beautiful landscape.Then,a cool breeze blew lightly,the ancient rings hanging in the four corners of Laihe Pavilion. A few birds in distance crossed over the lake surface ,flied away and disappeared in the fog.Such scenery should be in the paradise but on earth.
Leaving Shiping, we drive to historical city Jianshui,50 kilometers away. Jianshui, called Linan in the past and built firstly in Tang Dynasty, had original life compared with business atmosphere of Lijiang and Dali.It was called “Dian’nan Zhoulu”and“Famous State of Literature”.For the Tropic of Cancer through the areas of Jianshui, it’s spring all the year round, having vast expanse of fertile land and rich in natural resources.Established Linan government in Ming Dynasty in Jianshui, migrants from south regions of Yangtze River migrated extensively here which brought splendid Han culture of Central Plains and Jianshui’s development reached a peak. “ Golden Lin’an, Silver Dali”、”Large Lin’an and Small Xian”
We had a break in hotel and arrived at little train stop to play, where called Lin’an Station , an French building ,and basically maintain the features one hundred years ago.The vicinty of Jianshui like Gejiu was rich in mine resources and prosperous business and was built meter-rail train one hundred years ago deep into Vietnam of French colony,today also with train running for 13 Km.in bathing the sun of spring, i leaned against the wooden carriage, looked at the French architect train stop, and watch that the beautiful mothers leading their children who wearing students uniform in Republic to walk onto the station which looked like time flied back to the Republic of China （1912-1949）.I thought groups of students walked to the world at that time. How many partings for ever were presented here.
The little train got slowly through the lands of south Yunnan.firstly we reached Shuanglong Station, also called Seventeen-Arch Bridge,Which was built firstly during the reign of emperor Qianlong in Qing Dynasty. There was 3-storeyed tower with one pavilion at both ends.
The little train’s 2rd Station was the Xianghuiqiao Station which was a old Sino-French architecture with Chinese arch structure of wing rooms both sides.the dappled wall verified the remote time. The children from Zenker Summer Camp wearing students uniform became the little stars and the tourists all around became the fans who took pictures of them. “ Little girl,I took your pictures finally. ”The tourist from Guangdong sitting near us.
Tuanshan Station was the final stop.Tuanshan dwellings , so far the most well-kept architectures of Qing Dynasty, listed as world commemorative buildings, honored as Untouched One-Hundred-Year Historic Village, was the most exquisite historic dwellings.we lingering on “Jiangjun Di”、“Sima Di”and Huang’en Fu for their attractive by Exquisite carved beams and painted rafters - rich ornamented buildings. The family instructions with the first Chinese character “Ren” on the old wall of Zhangjia Grand Courtyard were dazzling in the sunset glow.
When we back to the station of Jianshui city, night had already fallen.we had dinner in the restaurant 1928 of the platform. Ruan was the landlady family name father of who migrated to Jianshui from Vietnam. We eaten authentic small roll of powder and exclusive “Chaoya”.
D4
In the early morning of the 2rd day of Chinese New Year,we reached Jianshui Temple by appointment before arrival of other tourists to attend the Spring Festival Writing Opening ordered by Zenker network technology co.,ltd in advance. Jianshui Temple( Confucius Temple), established initially in Yuan Dynasty and having a history of over 700 years, covering an area of 76,000 square meters, ranked 2nd among the national large-scale Confucius Temple, only second to Qubu Temple. The building was engraved exquisitely where the lifelike birds and animals. It’s sacred and magnificent for dense ancient cypress around the Temple. we, wearing superb Han Chinese clothing, queuing in a line and keeping Souvenir Cover, was led by emcee and Dongjing band, and stepped into Dacheng hall from memorial gate Zhu Si Yuan Yuan through Limen ,Yilu, Xingtan and finally reached Xianshi Hall, also Confucius Hall. Then, sacred band music rang and lingered around the beams in the empty hall. Children standing in the first row and parents in the second,with worship bowed three times to the Confucius sculpture. Confucius hall had lots of cultural relics such as carved Stone and plaques including “Wan Shi Shi Biao”( literally great master for all ages) inscribed by eight emperors of past dynasties. Stone cutters were well-paid and their salaries was calculated by the weight of fallen stones .
Out of the Confucius Hall, surrounded by tourists on both sides of narrow way, we came to the broad lakeside. Then we through the Number One Scholar Bridge reached the Diaoao Pavilion which meant that students would get high score in exam and rank first through their hard study. The ceremony to wear Han Chinese Clothes led us back to Ming Dynasty several hundred years ago which would impress deeply in kid’s heart, let them profoundly experience the Chinese traditional culture , and silently influenced their future. They will finally understand : having beautiful clothes called Hua (the ancient name of China), having magnificent etiquette called Xia (the ancient name of China).
Then, we came to the long gallery near Dacheng Hall to attend the activity “Spring Festival Writing Ceremony, Fu (literally happiness) to Tens of Thousands of Families”Jianshui Temple had already set up the long desk and prepared for the writing brushes, ink sticks, paper and ink stones and paper lanterns. Parents and children attended together, writing Fu character, Spring Festival couplets and drawing Lanterns. All of them were thoroughly engrossed in it and used the written words and drawings to bless the Chinese New Year.
In this afternoon, we came to the largest existing imperial examinations rooms of Ming and Qing Dynasty in China--Xue Zheng Kao Peng where held the exams in old time,and attended a simulated imperial competitive examinations. For Jianshui’s rich scholarship since ancient times and deep influence of Confucianism, the past mostly ranked candidates for imperial competitive examination in Yun’nan came from Lin’an , therefore also named ”Lin Ban Bang”. All of us wore long fake pigtail which seemed to go back to the Qing Dynasty. At first, we queued up in front of gate to wait for the teacher who arrived in the guidance of majestic etiquette,with the beating gongs and drums. After meeting the students, the learning superior made a brief presentation to encourage us to take the exam well. Then, the supervisor searched the students one by one. And we lifted the hands and received the check which liked the airport security check. Compared with present college entrance examination, the past imperial examination was even stricter. The students from the poor family studied hard for ten years. Once passed the palace examination, he would have a bright official career.
Our exam paper was all the choice questions about the humanity and history. I finished quickly and was number one. Therefore, the superior wore a red flower for me by himself and issued a certificate to me. Coco, from our Zenker Winter Camp, also was praised by the superior. After the examination, we watched the superb classic dance “Kuixing Dance”and “Book of Songs Luming Dance”. We experienced the hardship and joy for the past students through the live-action practice exam.
In the afternoon, the children also experienced the Jianshui’s pottery in “Xue Zheng Kao Peng”, and each one made a purple pottery. Jianshui’s purple pottery, originated at the end for Song Dynasty, with a history of over 900 years , was one of top forth famous pottery in China.
D5
We came to well-known Chaoyang Building at sunset. Shangfeng and Yoyo went to the top of the building to listen to copper bells which took the glow and run through the eastern door of the ancient city. Chaoyang building, decorated with red wall and glazed tiles, is the landmark in Jianshui which was built in Hongwu period ( Ming Dynasty), 48 Years earlier than Tiananmen in Beijing. According to the folk tale, Tian’anmen simulated the Chaoyang building. Though exposed to the wind and rain over 600 years and experienced several wars and earthquakes, the Chaoyang building is well-kept nowadays. The large plaque“Xiong Zhen Dong Nan”hanging in the middle wall of Chaoyang building, is one of top 4 Bangshu (large Chinese calligraphy written on the door of imperial palace ) in Yunnan and only survived, each characters of which is about 2 meters long and strokes first in the world.
Jianshui’s beauty do not just depend on the scenery but even buildings. The Well-kept plaque buildings and courtyards in Ming and Qing Dynasty could be found everywhere. The massive wall bottom seemed like a thick history book which loaded the the dreams of he numerous students. The mottled shadows reflected the history of the ancient city where we lingered and i also became the refined scholars of Ming and Qing Dynasty. Jianshui’s beauty do not just depend on buildings but even humanity. The Han culture was in complete harmony of foreign culture, and Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity and Islam coexisted, especially the Confucian culture spreading far away.
On the morning of the third day of the New Year, we visited the Zhujia Garden, which is known as the Southwest Grand View Garden. Although it was only 8 o'clock, the queues of visitors lined from Linlin Road to Hanlin Street. Zhujia Garden has 214 houses, 42 patios, beautifully painted buildings,and a layered courtyard of the mystery palace which has witnessed the ups and downs of the Zhu family, the rise and fall of history, and recorded the ancestors' exegetical and poetic verses ,and sealed for centuries. The Zhujia Garden was built in the late Qing Dynasty. After the liberation, it was the garrison of the military field hospital and the building was well preserved.
During the Spring Festival, Zhujia Garden was holding a Spring Flower Show.The group of Zenker Winter Camp came to the atrium with the crowds of people in the middle of the night and sees various flowers such as narcissus and tulips. Last year, the back garden of Zhujia Garden was renovated and various exotic flowers and stones were displayed , exquisite like an imperial garden. In the middle of the garden there was a pool of water, and the waterside was full of white calla lily. There was a rock hill standing high under the water spray where was an octagonal pavilion on the rockery. A waterfall rushed down from the rockery, and a burst of water sprayed on the surface of the water which looked like fairyland.
On both sides of the garden was a long storm-covered bridge, and at the end of the bridge was an exquisite wood carving. The Zenker was set on a wooden chair at the end of the bridge,acting as if there was no one else to read the "Zhuzi Family Instructions" - "If you want people to see your kindness, you might not want to be good and true; If you don’t want others to know your badness, it would be evil. The childish voice of the kids in the crowded Zhujia Garden, like the sound of nature, made the tourists around quiet who were also infected, it was the history of the reverberation. With the aim of "self-cultivation" and "harmony for family", "Zhuzi Family Instructions" was a great example of Confucianism , deeply rooted and profound. It was still worthy of literary family’s keeping: "At dawn, sweep away the court... " a local old lady on the side, she listened to her eyes and asked us for a copy of the "Zhuzi Family Instructions" , who looked like winning the treasure and left with great joy.
At noon, we came to the last stop of Jianshui’s journey- Ximen Daban Well. There were many well-preserved ancient wells in Jianshui, and there were more than 180 named well, and still in use today, especially the most famous well-Daban Well. The Jianshui River system was well- developed and many rivers flow from the city side. The term "Jianshui, literally water building" was translated from the Yi minority language. It was precisely the most suitable word for describing Jianshui - a city built on water. These ancient wells witness the history of Jianshui, mostly built during the Ming dynasty. There had been six to seven hundred years of history. For many years, these wells had never dried up or have been muddy.
When I lived for decades, I first saw such a large ancient well. The well fence was inlaid with six stone slabs and the wellhead was three meters in diameter. People who fetch water are in a constant stream. From a bucket that the local old man brought up, I took a handful of well water and tasted it. There are also two small fish swimming in the well water, which is a sign of the local people's judgment of water quality.
Someone says that the day of the Jianshui people started from the Daban Well in Ximen, and the cool well water cloud wash away the drowsy night and brought a beautiful day. Due to the distant location of the Daban well, visitors are scarce. The famous Ximen’s tofu, just beside the Daban Well, was made with well water. It is a way of life for the old Jianshui people drinking tea made with the water from the Ximen Daban Well while eating Ximen Roasted Tofu. CCTV's " A Bite of China" also came here to shoot framing. We entered the Ximen’s bean curd workshop. Each person ate a bowl of freshly made soybean milk, and another bowl of delicious bean curd who was just as happy as a fairy. It is five yuan per person, yet, you can eat bean curd and soybean milk casually. Everyone eats three bowls at most. but the mother of Coco was the most powerful, and even ate five bowls of bean curd.
At noon we bid farewell to Jianshui and set off for the third city of this trip, Yuanyang. All the way to the south over two peaks, we went down to the Red River Valley, the temperature suddenly rose to 32 degrees, as if from the spring into the summer. Yuanyang County was on the bank of the Red River, clean and tidy. There are more than 40 kilometers of Yuanyang Terraced Fields. Traveling along the valley, there were endless banana forests on the hillsides on both sides of the highway. There ere Hani villagers selling bananas on the roadside which were big and sweet, only one dollar a pound.
We arrived scenic area of Yuanyang Terraced Fields at 4:00 pm where was the core area of Hani Terraced field in red river and selected into the world heritage in 2013. Hani people would clean up the junks of Terrace and water them on January of each year. They were the artists of the land who grew the rice from the valley onto the top of the hill. The best season for taking picture of Yuanyang Terraced fields was on February in winter. It was almost 5:00pm when we arrived Dabada scenic areas along the slowly traffic. The mountain way was narrow and there was no large parking lot. Therefore car had to park on the roadsides which caused the traffic jam. The first viewing platform and the second were full with the kinds of cameras. Xiao Dengzeng along with us called and said that he find the best location to take picture of sunset for the locals. We ran to his location in a hurry where occupied by a few people and we could see clearly the Terrece laid on the hill. We waited here nearly at 7:00pm and the sunlight gradually faded, among the blue sky, the orange sun hanging near the mountain top.The golden sunshine in the paddy field reflected the reflections of the sky and ridges, bright or dark, and played a melody symphony. Little boy Shanglin took her mother’s cellphone to take the picture of the scenery while said it’s so beautiful. The mountain night fell quickly,and the cars left just one way. Therefore, it’s almost 8:00pm we reached the only 4-star hotel here. I urged our campers to sleep early for tomorrow’s shooting of the sunrise.
D6, I got up at over 5:00am next morning and it was still dark when i reached Duo Yishu scenic area. One after one car lights on the road converged into a long dragon before sun-break. 3km Away from Duo Yishu scenic area,We parked car on the roadside and walked to viewing platform. At that time, the day broke and we run forward meeting lots of Hani girls to sell eggs to earn money along the road while the children in our Group was still sleeping.
The Duo Yishu viewing platform was just completed. The observation deck that retreated from all levels had a total of four floors. At this time, it has been packed with photographers. Some people came to occupy the best locations for photo at four in the morning. We were also latecomers. At this time, the morning glow of the sky begins to bloom, and the orange glow is reflected in the paddy fields. At a critical moment, anxiously lifting the camera over her head and pressing it madly, the lady in front of me made room for me to take a few shots. I watched my watch subconsciously. At 7:10 in the morning on February 19th, this was the most beautiful moment in the morning at the A Yeshu terraced field in Yuanyang. I saw a slice of distant land and a terraced bay where it was a dreamy scene. Red, yellow, orange, white and other colors would reflect the sky's pink clouds in the water. A white morning mist drifted slowly from the distance in the mountains and it was in Wonderland. At this time,it was pale and powerless using the gorgeous words and phrases to describe the Yuanyang . In my heart, I sincerely thank the industrious Hani people for the wonders they had created. I had made it worthwhile to see such beautiful scenery and finally my dream of Yuanyang.
It was sun-rised when our group menbers reached. Then it was another picturesque that the light foggy became the magnificent cloud sea swarming along the wind on the mountainside. Shangfeng aged 7 ran in a hurry to the Terrace field under the viewing platform and said she would get through the hill to the next destination- Hani original cottage which made her brother urgently shout,hardly known that cottage was 6 Km away from A yishu.
We started our public welfare journey of this summer camp after Lunch and head off the Hani cottage--Azeke village to donate books, where was selected to be shooting place for the movie Forever Young. The children from the cottage came to parking lot to assist the delivery of the donated books while our Zenker Group members took the heavy bags of books and bookcases walking towards the A Zheke cottage along the steep mountain way.
About a dozen minutes walk, a mushroom house with a clay wall and a straw roof came into our eyes where was the village of A Zheke on the terrace. A Zhekein in Hani language meant lush land and was one of the best-preserved Hani ancient villages in the country.
The home of Ma’ergan who received us was a two-storeyed building where the second floor was available and selected as Zenker Bookroom. The Children put down the books and was divided into small group, some setting up the steel bookcase, some stamping on the new books, and some piling up books tidily all of who were indulged in. The local Hani kids couldn’t wait to sit on the ground to read hungrily. The mum Xiaoya was thoughtful, saying the bookroom should have lending rules while Choosing a librarian. When she said, she immediately asked more than a dozen Hani children to gather together and elect a librarian. At the same time, she also took out a notebook, drew a book registration form for the children, and explained the lending rules to everyone. In the end, we democratically elected a sixth -grader son of Ma Ergan to be a librarian, and also selected two deputy librarians.
For a while, about 500 books were all settled up. More and more friends in the village heard the news and rushed to the house where were filled with children’s laughter: “Wow, a fourth-grade writing book. It’s my favorite” “ Cartoon drawing book, how beautiful it is”looking at the cheerful children, all the hard work was full of joy.
It’s not early. We had to rush back to Kunming this evening where were several hundred kilometers of roads to catch. we said goodbye to the children. Arzheke finally had a library belonging to the children. The shortly gatherings let us understand "Love what you love, do what you do, follow your heart, and be young forever."
Before leave, we enjoyed Yuanyang Terraced fields again, where the youngsters down to the field sides watched the villagers to catch fish in the fields. Mountain wind blew lightly while fogs and clouds rise from the mountainside and suddenly disappeared completely. Sitting under the millennial ancient tree, listening the stream flowing i felt the peaceful place without any thinking , didn’t care where the clouds came and went , and Wished time stayed still at that moment.
The water of A Zheke village was the fountain water from the mountain where drinking water and irrigating water were divided. There were two drinking water pool located separately at upper end and lower end of the village. Spilling from several sinks clear ,the spring water never exhausted, clear and sweet, brought up Hani period for generations where it was harmonious between nature and people like a integral whole.
D7:
Over zero point on February 20th we arrived at the last stop of the trip - the Yunnan Provincial Workers' Sanatorium on the banks of Dian Lake in Kunming. Everyone slept late in the morning. When The sun came through the window and entered the room,we got up. When the curtains opened, I immediately was amazed by the beauty outside of the window. After seeing a sea of flowers, it was an endless pool of Dian Lake. In the hazy morning fog, the waterbirds swept over the water in the distance. The warm sunshine in the morning shined on the lake, sparkling and sky and water merged in one color.
After breakfast, we came to the lawn along the Dian lake where we started the last activity of this camp---treasure-seeking. Treasures were hidden in the four directions individually east,west,south and north and the children Chose a direction for looking the treasures through finger-guessing game. In the jungle and under the stone hid the expensive “treasures”. At last, all the treasures were found within the fixed time. Coco found out a crystal doll while Yoyo found the solar cellphone chargers...
In the afternoon, we took the flight back to Chongqing. Seven days of the zenker winter summer camp came to an successful end. This was a trip to visit the ancient heritage and nature; this was an Gala of vision, taste and spirit. We were looking forward to seeing each other again in the summer of 2018 in the Mount Emei.
Written On February 28th, 2018 In Chongqing
