Page 22 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (103)

21 China·South Asia

“My rural life in Tonglu”

“我在桐庐感受农家生活”

By Ali Ijaz (Pakistan) □ 成龙 / 文（巴基斯坦）

Tonglu county in East China’s Zhe- then, his house was encircled by only undu- nations gave me a deeper understanding of The joyful time passed swiftly like
jiang province, known as the “poetic and lating hills covered in wild grass. The local Chinese tea culture. Amidst the tea aroma, flowing water. As I bid farewell to Shen,
picturesque town by the Fuchun River,” is government’s support became the catalyst I felt as if I were touching the ancient and he handed me a small note with his contact
covered in vast stretches of green. Brim- for the county’s metamorphosis. Taking ad- profound inspiration of Chinese culture. information. “Next summer, remember to
ming with curiosity and excitement, my vantage of favorable policies, Shen keenly In the days that followed, with Shen’s come and find me in Tonglu. We’ll head
friends and I set foot on this beautiful land seized the opportunity to open a guesthouse. help, I was able to appreciate the natural to the old town to enjoy the lotus pond to-
to experience the vibrant landscape. Here, He also made full use of the hilly terrain beauty of Tonglu and the harmonious co- gether,” he said. I nodded, touched by his
charming farmhouses are nestled among resources, venturing into tea cultivation and existence between humans and nature. His warmth and sincerity, with my heart filled
the hills and streams, creating a unique and fish farming. guesthouse offered visitors the chance to with anticipation for future journeys.
captivating scene. In the soothing glow of the morning sun, engage in simple rural life and enjoy the After I left Tonglu, that small note be-
At a quaint rural guesthouse where I re- I followed Shen to explore his well-main- pleasure of tea picking, roasting, tasting, came the most precious gift in my heart and
sided, I encountered a man surnamed Shen, tained tea gardens and fish ponds. It was and cooking. In the tranquil countryside, a bond of our friendship. It always brings to
who was also the owner of this charming clear from his self-assured attitude that he thousand-year-old trees stood as witnesses my mind the images of his warmth and hos-
lodging. Shen treated me like family and had poured his dedication into every tea leaf to the passage of time. They silently accom- pitality, his tea garden, and the fish pond.
my halting Chinese did not influence our and every swimming fish. As I breathed in panied the tea garden, narrating the changes I am looking forward to meeting Shen
normal exchanges. Thanks to his generous the faint fragrance of tea carried by a soft of history to visitors. People gathered be- again, walking together through every street
and warm hospitality, I was able to expe- breeze, I was completely absorbed in a feel- neath these ancient trees to sip tea and chat, of Tonglu, experiencing the history steeped
rience the rural life in Tonglu and feel the ing of serenity and contentment. or strolled through the tea garden appreciat- in the old town, and appreciating the beau-
vigor and vitality of nature. Shen carefully explained the distinct fea- ing the natural scenery. tiful scene of a gentle breeze rippling across
During my stay at Shen’s guesthouse, he tures of each tea variety, his eyes revealing Everything here captivated and inspired the lotus pond.
told me the story of Tonglu’s development. a deep affection and love for this land. In a me. Surrounded by these mountains and (Source: People’s Daily. The author Ali
Once a little-known farming county, Tonglu quiet corner of the tea garden, he demon- waters, I was deeply moved by the power of Ijaz is a Pakistani student at Changzhou
has transformed into a picturesque scenic strated the intricate tea ceremony for me nature. Each breath I took brought a deeper University.)
destination. As he shared his memories, it with skillful and graceful movements, mak- sense of contentment to my mind and body.
felt like we were traveling through time, ing me feel like I was attending an exquisite
back to around 20 or 30 years ago. Back tea culture performance. His vivid expla-