2019 May Day Journey to Enchanting Xiangxi for Study Tour

Xiangxi—in the books of Shen Congwen, the songs of Song Zuying, and the paintings of Huang Yongyu.

The Miao—an ancient and industrious people.

This May Day, we packed our bags and set off with family and friends to explore Xiangxi.

Xinjiang is over 3,500 kilometers from Changsha.

That distance means walking 10 kilometers a day

would take 350 days.

So flying became our first choice of travel.

From Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport in Xinjiang to Changsha Huanghua Airport,

it's a flight of over four hours.

What can we do during that time (⊙_⊙)?

First Stop: Changsha

“Changsha” is a millennia-old historical and cultural city blending famous mountains, waters, islets, and cityscapes. It was also the first stop of our Happy Graffiti—Enchanting Xiangxi Journey. Its long history has left Changsha with numerous scenic spots and historical sites, including the renowned Yuelu Academy, Mawangdui, Taiping Old Street, and famous attractions like Yuelu Mountain and Orange Isle. All these places are worth exploring in detail.

The museum consists of two basic exhibitions: “Changsha Mawangdui Han Tomb Exhibition” and “Hunan People—Exhibition of Hunan’s History and Culture”, along with four special galleries on bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and painting, and crafts.

The Hunan Provincial Museum is the largest history and art museum in Hunan Province, a cultural landmark of Changsha, and an important window for understanding the Hu-Xiang civilization and its mysteries. It was also the first stop of our Happy Graffiti trip in Changsha.

"Alone in autumn, cold, the Xiang flows north to Orange Isle.

See myriad hills crimsoned through and trees dyed layer on layer; The river green to the brim, a hundred barges race in the stream. Eagles cleave the air, fish glide over the shallows; Under freezing skies all creatures vie for freedom. Vast and uncertain, I ask the earth and sky: Who rules over man's destiny?"

As the saying goes: “Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles.”

Everyone came before the statue of young Mao Zedong, which they had only seen in textbooks.

His flowing hair, handsome face,

deep gaze, and slightly furrowed brows

recapture the great man's aura of caring for his country and people, highly distinctive.

Here we could also enjoy the colorful nightscape of Changsha.

Of course, when in Changsha, you must taste the local specialties:

stinky tofu, candied glutinous rice balls (tangyuan), crayfish...

And you absolutely have to slurp a bowl of Changsha rice noodles.

(╯▽╰) So fragrant~~

A special city like Changsha deserves our careful savoring...

Second Stop: Dehang Miao Village

Entering the scenic area, the first thing we saw was...

Well... (?ω?｀ll)

What are everyone doing?

Are they gesturing something?

Or is this a local way of greeting?

Actually, they were mimicking this shape.

Can you see it? (?*?*?)

Doesn't it look like an outstretched palm?

That is the Welcome Peak of Dehang Miao Village.

It was the first thing we saw upon entering.

Walking in nature's oxygen bar,

the children were all full of energy.

Inside the Miao village, besides overlapping peaks,

there are many crisscrossing streams and cascading waterfalls.

Here lies the country's top Liusha Waterfall,

with a drop of 216 meters, as fine as sand, soft and gentle,

like a bride's veil.

Besides viewing the waterfall,

we could rest, take photos,

and taste local snacks.

In this “beautiful valley,” you can not only enjoy the landscape

but also get to know nature.

Since we were in the embrace of nature,

we decided to use local materials

and create some art. (〃'▽'〃)

All the clever little hands

were engrossed in their creations.

Miao-style gate-blocking wine, long-dragon feast, bonfire party,

and special performances...

Of course, we had to experience them all. (?*?*?)

In front of our Aizhai base building, a market is held every five days.

Although our Happy Graffiti kids missed it this time,

the base is located in the town center,

so everyone could still experience local life.

Looking forward (*?ω?)...

But first, let's learn how to read this old-fashioned scale.

Then, all the kids performed wonderfully!

And their gains were plentiful...

Third Stop: Aizhai Wonders and New Art & Culture Experiences

Aizhai was the main venue for this Happy Graffiti—Enchanting Xiangxi Journey. It not only has charming valleys, streams, and waterfalls but also a great bridge project that set four world records; a breathtaking highway wonder; and the ancient customs of the hardworking Miao people. Here, you can not only feel the rich, colorful ethnic culture of melodious songs and thunderous dances, but our children could also personally experience some of these intangible Miao cultural heritages, providing rich and lively素材 for artistic creation. What artistic sparks would our Happy Graffiti kids strike here...

First, let's take a look

at the Aizhai wonders that the Happy Graffiti children saw.

The great bridge project that set four world records: the Aizhai Extra-Large Suspension Bridge.

The high-altitude sightseeing line composed of cliffside plank roads, viewing platforms, and suspension plank roads—the Cliff Devil Plank Road.▼

The awe-inspiring highway wonder—the Aizhai Highway Wonder.▼

The Tianwen Platform where Qu Yuan, in sorrow, questioned heaven and composed his great poem “Heavenly Questions.”▼

The “village on the eagle's back”—Jidou Miao Village.▼

The mountains and waters of Xiangxi gave birth to a mysterious, unique, and colorful ethnic culture.

What intangible Miao cultural heritages did our Happy Graffiti friends experience?

What new experiences in art creation did they have?

Follow the editor to see.

Intangible cultural heritage experience—Miao Drum

【Miao Drum】 is a sacred object worshiped by the Miao people, a symbol of Miao tribes, and one of the most distinctive art forms of the Miao...

Intangible cultural heritage experience—Batik

【Batik】 is a traditional skill passed down through generations in the Miao areas of Southwest China, such as Jishou, Danzhai, Anshun, and Zhijin counties. In ancient times it was called “wax resist,” and in the Miao language it is called “wutu,” meaning “batik clothing.”

Then they began using batik tools

to apply wax to their works.

PS: It turns out that batik making is an artistic activity suitable for all ages.

Besides the Miao intangible cultural heritage experiences,

what other art and culture new experiences did our Happy Graffiti kids have?

Let the editor tell you.

You can paint not only on a canvas

but also on a bamboo hat,

or on a stone.

Let's take a look.

Surrounded by mountains and waters, with layered peaks and lush trees,

the natural landscape is beautiful,

and the original ecology and environment are well preserved.

It is a scenic, pristine Miao village.

Such a unique natural environment

is also a natural playground for our children.

They can play in the river, catch fish and shrimp,

or use local materials

to experience fun stone painting.

Fourth Stop: Miao Life Experience

Tea ceremony etiquette is in the same lineage as Chinese etiquette. Through picking, making, brewing, and serving tea, we learn the way of “kindness and courtesy.” “One tael of gold, one tael of tea” refers to Baojing's golden tea.

Happy Graffiti children came to the tea-picking site, “Golden Village.” Before setting out, we made sure to apply sunscreen.

Ready, we set off. The view was all green,

and the surrounding scenery was beautiful.

Indeed, it is a place with good mountains and good water producing good tea.

With the raw materials collected, we started making tea.

The children's movements in “handling” the tea leaves looked professional.

“Paradise” Family Village—a natural Miao village. The ancient buildings in the village are well preserved, with a strong ethnic atmosphere. Here we not only experienced an ancient Miao village but also made our own farmhouse meal using firewood.

This concludes the sharing of the Enchanting Xiangxi Journey. A big thank you to all the teachers, parents, and children for your strong support and active participation in all activities. We also wish everyone health, happiness, bravery, and perseverance in their future learning and growth!!!

Thanks to Xiangxi Jingsen Culture for hosting.