Foreign Youth Experience Double Ninth Traditions in Jiangjin | Laowai@Chongqing

Chongqing - A brand new series event named Laowai@Chongqing Perception of Traditional Chinese Culture for International Youth was launched with a two-day trip to Zhongshan Ancient Town and the Love Celestial Ladder in advance of the Double Ninth Festival when 13 students from Chongqing University (CQU), all from different nations spread over four continents, learned about folk customs and explored the rich heritage behind these famous attractions in Chongqing's Jiangjin District.

The Land-Sea International Communication Foundation has organized this event to strengthen cultural understanding among foreign youth in Chongqing and gave them the unique opportunity to admire the ancient town and the local environment in autumn, as well as to experience the traditional craftsmanship of making kites, mulling wine, drinking tea, and respecting elders in context of the Double Ninth Festival.

This festival, which dates back over 2000 years to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), is held each year on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month and focuses on an appreciation for senior citizens and the value of reunion. While the day is also observed in Vietnam, Japan, and Korea, people in China often mark the occasion by making kites, going for hikes, and drinking chrysanthemum tea. 

Zhongshan Town steeped in antiquity

Zhongshan Ancient Town dates back around 800 years and has been rated among the most beautiful towns in China. The town has preserved its original appearance based on stilted architecture, with local specialties on offer in the narrow streets to tempt the tastebuds of visitors. 

One unique feature is the Single Person Alleyway at No. 134, which highlights the custom of respecting elders and caring for the young. Since the narrow alley stretches for 20 meters and can only be passed by one person at a time, it's necessary to politely give way whenever somebody encounters an elderly person, children, or pregnant woman coming in the opposite direction.

The experience of Zhongshan Ancient Town also included sipping a wine that every household brews for the festival, as the number nine in Chinese is a homophone for the word's longevity and wine. This mellow and pleasantly sweet wine allowed the youth to sense the autumn vibes as the festival approached.

Over a serene afternoon, sat outside Wanshou Hall in the old town, the international students decorated variously designed kites in vivid colors. These paper kites are indispensable to the Double Ninth Festival when the act of flying them symbolizes good luck and the release of blessings. For example, 22-year-old Olga Khamrai from Russia expressed wishes for good health and a happy trip on either wing of her fish-styled kite.

Zhongshan Ancient Town dates from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) and is a collection of wooden stilted buildings nestled 1.5 kilometers along a picturesque valley, with a fast-flowing stream crossed by a stone slab bridge down below. Tourists now flock to admire the traditional architecture and crafts on display amid the natural surroundings, and the location has also grown popular among artists, photographers, and film crews.

Following the day's proceedings, Abdur Rahim from Pakistan shared his impressions on the day so far. "It has been a beautiful experience to come here and feel the culture. The people here are so caring that we feel like part of a family rather than just visitors." He explained.

After nightfall, everybody gathered in the square near Zhongshan Town to hold a fun variety performance in celebration of the Double Ninth Festival, where students displayed traditional songs and dances from their respective countries, some even dressed in national costumes. Highlights included a duet between Ahmed and Bahaa from Egypt and Yemen, who sang a famous song known across the Arab world, while Han Ni Hlaing performed a dance routine taken from a water splashing festival in Myanmar. 

Further highlights on stage featured a Mulan sword dance, modern dance routines from Jamaica and Russia, ancient songs from Algeria and Ukraine, and Burmese Water Splashing Festival dances. During the proceedings, the foreign young socialized and interacted with Zhongshan Villagers as they jointly built friendships between China and foreign countries through song and dance.

6208 steps lead to "Home of Love" 

The next day, the international students went to visit a new attraction named the Love Celestial Ladder, which is a steep flight of 6208 steps located in the Simian Mountains Scenic Area, carved out by the late Liu Guojiang over many years to make passage up and down the mountainside safer for his wife, Xu Chaoqing. 

During the 1950s, they secretly left their home village together to escape rumors over their relationship, as Xu was a young widow ten years his senior with three living children. Their love story only became known decades later, in the year 2001, when curious visitors followed the steps up to their dwelling 1500 meters above sea level and learned their true identity. The area has become part of a new tourist experience in the county. 

On arrival, the overseas students toured a museum that vividly documents their life story with illustrations and display items before taking an hour to climb the steps leading to the wood and mud-brick structure the couple built by hand decades ago. Along the way, some took a short restbite and marveled at the sacrifice the famed couple made in the name of love.

"Although the climb is quite challenging, the story behind this ladder is really touching." Brooks and Garnece from Jamaica and the Bahamas said jokingly how they would even struggle to climb the ladder for love, let alone build one themselves.

The Home of Love situated on a clearing near the mountain peak has become the climatic experience on this trail, marked by stunning danxia topography offset by lush vegetation. Once there, students took a seat to summarise their feelings about the festival. Ahmed Radwan from Egypt commented, "Although our country does not have so many special festivals like this, we integrate respect for elders into daily life."

As they recovered from the climb over tea and bowls of glutinous rice balls, the students even had the opportunity to meet with the son of the famous couple, who still manages the house regularly, to provide visitors with hospitality over food and drink. 

When asked whether he had learned the secret to long happy relationships from his parents, he humbly responded that having grown up in these surroundings, he never expressly considered this question in his youth, but integrated the key is to communicate openly and show the greatest measure of tolerance towards each other.

Chen Can, deputy secretary of the Chongqing Land-Sea International Communication Foundation, explained how the event series would help foreign youth experience the glamour of traditional Chinese festivals. "We'll continue to promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and foreign countries during these events," Chen said.

As the event concluded, Chinese and foreign youths exchanged small gifts with their own national characteristics. They gave each other hugs and blessings, anticipating their next reunion during a traditional holiday.