Chongqing - Nestled within the dreamlike Brocade Mountains, the Tujia and Miao villages of Xiushan County, Chongqing, nurture rich cultural treasures. Ancient tunes drift like celestial whispers, while flower-lantern folk songs weave timeless legends in gentle, flowing rhythms.

Xiushan folk songs are born of the land and its rivers—rooted in antiquity, flourishing during the Tang and Song dynasties, evolving through the Republican era, and still resonating vibrantly in modern China. They are songs of festive cheer and unbridled joy, as well as melodies that carry deep emotions and whispered hopes.

The Twenty-Four Major Tunes wind through countless twists and turns—sometimes bold and soaring, celebrating the joy of festivals; sometimes soft and lilting, whispering tales of tender romance. More than a thousand melodies, deeply rooted in the fertile soil of life, nurture the dreams, hopes, and love of the people.

In performance, a solo voice sings with plaintive grace, striking the melody of the soul; a duet exchanges verses with tender affection, kindling sparks of emotion; singing and dancing in unison brim with laughter and joy, conveying aspirations for the future.

"Soft and supple is the boxwood carrying pole (my dear, hey li ya), / Bearing a load of white rice down to Liuzhou (my sister, my sister, down to Liuzhou, hey li ya)." The Boxwood Carrying Pole conveys the joy of life. In The Rowing Tune, "Clear river water ripples wave upon wave, / A boat glides past the green mountain slopes"—the melody ripples with optimism and poise.

Yet this cultural treasure, inherited for thousands of years, is now facing a dire shortage of successors. The fast pace of modern life also makes the slow, traditional way of teaching folk songs seem out of place.

Xiushan folk songs seem to be trapped deep in the Wuling Mountains.

He Jianxun, a representative inheritor of national intangible cultural heritage, said: "I have dedicated most of my life to Xiushan folk songs since I was eight. Now, passing on these mountain songs is a task that cannot wait."

As night falls and the flower lanterns are lit, Xiushan folk songs ring out once again. The wisdom and emotions of the Xiushan people should never be sealed away. Xiushan folk songs await a new chapter—one that we will write together.

Chinese script: Huo Leiyu 

Tutored by: Yang Huanlan

Translation: Luo Yimeng

Tutored by: Tuqingqing   Huwei