Chongqing - On May 13th, Italian multidisciplinary artist Lorenzo Alessio Deidda visited the romantic and legendary Simian Mountain Scenic Area, delving into the heartwarming love story behind the "Love Celestial Ladder".
Lorenzo Alessio Deidda visited Love Celestial Ladder. (Photo/Yang Liwei)
Love Celestial Ladder, a 6,000-step stone staircase in the mountains of Jiangjin District, Chongqing, bears witness to the extraordinary romance between Liu Guojiang and Xu Chaoqing. In the 1950s, 20-year-old Liu fell in love with Xu, a widow ten years his senior. To escape societal judgment, the couple fled to a remote mountain area of 1,500 meters with Xu's four children, living in isolation for over 50 years. During this time, Liu hand-carved the staircase into cliffs using only a hammer and chisel to ensure his wife's safety when descending the mountain. By his death in 2007, he had created over 6,000 steps, now celebrated as a symbol of enduring love.
The statue of Liu Guojiang and Xu Chaoqing. (Photo/Deng Nan)
Guided by stories, Lorenzo hiked the steep path, growing increasingly awestruck by Liu's unwavering devotion. Pausing at the "First Step of the Love Celestial Ladder" monument - the start of both the staircase and the couple's legendary journey - he knelt emotionally and kissed the monument. "As an artist, this story deeply moves me and sparks inspiration. Unlike Disney fairy tales, this one is real. Art is love; art is creativity. Love and health are the most important things in this world - without love, nothing matters," he reflected. Before leaving, Lorenzo created a heart-shaped watercolor sketch on the ground and posed for photos, forming a heart with his hands.
Lorenzo Alessio Deidda created a heart-shaped watercolor sketch and posed for a photo. (Photo/Deng Nan)
At the later seminar, Lorenzo shared his Jiangjin experience: "This place has touching stories and breathtaking landscapes. I'm happy to be here- I even loved the rice candy I tried yesterday. Europeans adore sweets, and I'd love to serve these at my exhibition tea breaks." He also offered insights on promoting Simian Mountain and Jiangjin jade internationally, expressing hopes for long-term collaboration: "I want to 'hand-in-hand' partner with Jiangjin to share its beauty with the world."
Lorenzo presented gifts to Jiangjin. (Photo/Deng Nan)
(Yang Liwei, as an intern, also contributed to the report.)