Current location:World Watchers news portal > opinions
Yangtze town has a foot in the past and an eye on the future
World Watchers news portal2024-05-08 17:56:48【opinions】0People have gathered around
IntroductionThe Kuixing Pavilion in Songji ancient town in Yongchuan district, Chongqing. [Photo by Li Hezi/Chin
The Kuixing Pavilion in Songji ancient town in Yongchuan district, Chongqing. [Photo by Li Hezi/China Daily]
Located on the north side of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, Yongchuan district of Chongqing might seem low-key compared with its better-known neighbors. Yet, on Oct 14, the district attracted professionals and academics from across the country to engage in discussions at a forum on green design and rural vitalization, as well as a roundtable meeting of think tanks on the theme of "characteristic small towns".
Ma Peihua, vice-chairperson of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended the opening ceremony of the event.
As an example of green design and development, Yongchuan has been the first in the country to offer a fully driverless robotaxi commercial service to the public, which was introduced by Song Chaojun, deputy head of Yongchuan district. There are dozens of pickup stations set up across the district covering commercial centers, schools and residential areas.
Just like any other car-hailing service with a driver behind the steering wheel, passengers place an order on an app and then move to the nearest pickup location. In just a few minutes, a white vehicle with a plate declaring it "self-driving "attached, pulls over at the station. Passengers are required to enter the last four digits of their mobile phone number on the digital screen on the car window to access the vehicle. Once passengers take their seat, safety instructions will be read and the car won't start until the passenger puts the seat belt on.
While self-driving cars shuttle back and forth through the district, giving off a futuristic sci-fi vibe, just 40 kilometers away lies Songji ancient town, which has a history of more than 2,000 years. Old stone slab roads traverse stilted buildings and courtyards built during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, as the Yangtze River meanders by southeast of the town. The ancient buildings, parking lots, roads and other infrastructure have also been upgraded.
Wang Peng, an 80-year-old pingshu artist, performs in a teahouse in the town by the Yangtze River. [Photo by Li Hezi/China Daily]
In recent years, the local government set up a tourism development management team in order to protect Songji's history and culture, and prevent it from overcommercialization. There are many residents in this ancient town who work hard to preserve and pass down their historical and cultural heritage and introduce it to the outside world.
Wang Peng, an 80-year-old pingshu (storytelling) artist, was chanting and welcoming a large audience in a teahouse by the Yangtze River.
Wang has lived in Songji for more than 40 years. He used to be a Sichuan Opera actor who traveled around learning to perform under masters all over Southwest China. After moving to Songji, he started to perform pingshu, the traditional Chinese performing art of storytelling with no musical accompaniment. There is no written script — all the lines are passed down orally. In the classic piece, Wu Song Beats the Tiger, Wang incorporates local elements. He will introduce the ancient town to tourists from afar before reciting the compelling story.
Wang Junjie, an 18-year-old college student, is one of Wang Peng's youngest apprentices. "Many young people are not familiar with this kind of art. But I take great interest in pingshu. Moreover, I think it's also useful for my future career, since I'm majoring in tourism management. When I become a tour guide, I'd like to sing some pieces for my guests if we visit traditional opera houses," he says.
Yongchuan, where modernity and heritage coexist, offers valuable insights for the development of other small towns. The city planners have demonstrated that it is possible to preserve cultural heritage while embracing technological advancement and ensuring the well-being of its residents. At this year's forum, many representatives from other characteristic small towns across the country shared good practices on development and rural vitalization. Next year's forum is expected to be held in Lanling county, Shandong province.
Li Hezi contributed to this story.
Address of this article:http://pitcairnislands.downmusic.org/article-51e599876.html
Very good!(655)
Related articles
- Kylian Mbappé trudges off after another Champions League dream with PSG ends
- FedEx upgrades gateway in Shenzhen
- New bright spots shine in pressured trade scene
- U.S. blaming China for its shipbuilding problems lacks factual basis: MOFCOM
- Gynaecologist who sterilised a female patient without her consent while she was undergoing a C
- Economic blueprint enthuses MNC execs
- Xinhua Headlines: Key Meeting Sets Tone on China's Financial Development
- More air routes using homegrown aircraft C919
- Revealed: Ministers considered a Rwanda
- Kunqu operas performed in Japan's Waseda University
Popular articles
Recommended
Taylor Swift bill is signed into Minnesota law, boosting protections for online ticket buyers
Role of finance in industrial upgrade gets experts' attention
Foreign retailers buoyant on Chinese market
Marintec China 2023 opens in Shanghai
How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 5/7/2024
Feelings mixed over delivery rule change
Spring flower season boosts tourism industry in Hanzhong, NW China
Xi Calls on Returned Scholars Association to Pool Talent, Strengths for Development
Links
- Woman, 62, is left baffled as she turns up to a hospital scan only to be told she's already dead
- Travis Kelce parties at star
- Double European weightlifting champion Pielieshenko killed in Ukraine war
- Money isn't enough to smooth the path for Republican candidates hoping to retake the Senate
- Trump Media fires auditing firm that US regulators have charged with 'massive fraud'
- WNBA expansion franchise Golden State hires Ohemaa Nyanin as its general manager
- Trump's strategist push AI to help conservatives, all you need to know
- A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
- ABC News president Kim Godwin steps down
- Money isn't enough to smooth the path for Republican candidates hoping to retake the Senate