Home
禄 City specials
禄 Hangzhou
Tea and art all in one quaint village
By Shi Xiaohan |
November 2, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A renovation project in picturesque Waitongwu Village has already helped it attract dozens of artists to set up their studios. Now the area, which is set among tea plantations, is expected to become a big tourism draw, writes Shi Xiaohan.
In the middle of vast tea plantations, Waitongwu Village has long been known as a rural getaway for Hangzhou's urban residents. Since 2007, the village has embraced an artistic transformation, offering natural beauty and countryside tranquility as an inspiration for artists. With the transformation completed recently, Waitongwu is a new landmark among Hangzhou's art hot spots and tourist attractions.
Local Li Yiling, 23, has been offered a new job in her village after the completion of the transformation. She is now the sales clerk of the Art Zone, a shop selling creative products designed by China Academy of Art students.
"The artistic transformation has changed my village, as well as the lives of many villagers, including mine. Now I am learning art and the art business," Li said.
One of the most obvious changes that art brought to the village is the renovation of all the village's houses. All the houses in Waitongwu are now either grey or brown and have a Western style of architecture.
The China Academy of Art was responsible for the project as Waitongwu has been designated by the local government as the institute's creative base.
"We based the renovations in response to the requests of all parties involved in this program. Local residents want better living standards, artists want an inspiring working environment, potential investors want to see art highlighted in the village and tourists want something different from just a plain-looking village," said Song Jianming, the academy's deputy dean of Color Research.
The endeavor has obviously paid off. More than 40 renowned local artists have already moved their studios to the village. Art exhibitions are also held in the village at the newly built Sanhe Art Museum and the Tourist Information Center.
The village has a strong history due to its importance in tea production. Waitongwu was frequently visited by Zhu De (1886-1976), one of the Chinese Communist military leaders and statesmen. Zhu visited the village four times from 1954 to 1966, overseeing the tea harvest.
Older villagers take great pride in these visits and that is why the oldest house in the village, dating back about 175 years, has been designated the Zhu De Memorial Hall.
The Zhu De Memorial Hall, a well-preserved Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) style building, is not only a great place to learn about the village's history, but also a beautiful cultural relic.
The old building is full of surprises. All the decorative items were made during the same period of history when Zhu visited the village, including the cups and bowls on the tables. You can even find Great Leap Forward (1958-1961) slogans and quotations from late Chairman Mao Zedong printed on the bowls. It makes the memorial hall similar to a mini historical museum.
Having gained historical glory and undergoing an artistic revival, the village still retains a tranquil atmosphere due to its isolation. After all, it's still a small village with only about 160 households.
Visitors can enjoy some relaxing Chinese countryside scenes such as farmers working in fields or see a family with four generations sitting around one big table.
"Something remains unchanged in my village," said Li Yiling, the sales clerk at the Art Zone. "The vivid countryside scenes will never disappear as the artists who moved in are attracted to this and will take inspiration from our village lives. So will tourists."
In the middle of vast tea plantations, Waitongwu Village has long been known as a rural getaway for Hangzhou's urban residents. Since 2007, the village has embraced an artistic transformation, offering natural beauty and countryside tranquility as an inspiration for artists. With the transformation completed recently, Waitongwu is a new landmark among Hangzhou's art hot spots and tourist attractions.
Local Li Yiling, 23, has been offered a new job in her village after the completion of the transformation. She is now the sales clerk of the Art Zone, a shop selling creative products designed by China Academy of Art students.
"The artistic transformation has changed my village, as well as the lives of many villagers, including mine. Now I am learning art and the art business," Li said.
One of the most obvious changes that art brought to the village is the renovation of all the village's houses. All the houses in Waitongwu are now either grey or brown and have a Western style of architecture.
The China Academy of Art was responsible for the project as Waitongwu has been designated by the local government as the institute's creative base.
"We based the renovations in response to the requests of all parties involved in this program. Local residents want better living standards, artists want an inspiring working environment, potential investors want to see art highlighted in the village and tourists want something different from just a plain-looking village," said Song Jianming, the academy's deputy dean of Color Research.
The endeavor has obviously paid off. More than 40 renowned local artists have already moved their studios to the village. Art exhibitions are also held in the village at the newly built Sanhe Art Museum and the Tourist Information Center.
The village has a strong history due to its importance in tea production. Waitongwu was frequently visited by Zhu De (1886-1976), one of the Chinese Communist military leaders and statesmen. Zhu visited the village four times from 1954 to 1966, overseeing the tea harvest.
Older villagers take great pride in these visits and that is why the oldest house in the village, dating back about 175 years, has been designated the Zhu De Memorial Hall.
The Zhu De Memorial Hall, a well-preserved Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) style building, is not only a great place to learn about the village's history, but also a beautiful cultural relic.
The old building is full of surprises. All the decorative items were made during the same period of history when Zhu visited the village, including the cups and bowls on the tables. You can even find Great Leap Forward (1958-1961) slogans and quotations from late Chairman Mao Zedong printed on the bowls. It makes the memorial hall similar to a mini historical museum.
Having gained historical glory and undergoing an artistic revival, the village still retains a tranquil atmosphere due to its isolation. After all, it's still a small village with only about 160 households.
Visitors can enjoy some relaxing Chinese countryside scenes such as farmers working in fields or see a family with four generations sitting around one big table.
"Something remains unchanged in my village," said Li Yiling, the sales clerk at the Art Zone. "The vivid countryside scenes will never disappear as the artists who moved in are attracted to this and will take inspiration from our village lives. So will tourists."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
