Page 15 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (112)

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CITY LIFE | 城事

Perspectives on people-to-people exchanges

大家聊“串门”

In Malaysia, Yu Wulin, a tourism en- bond connecting Yunnan and Malaysia. He’s fleet sailed to the Western Oceans up immersed in the world of rhythmic
trepreneur from Laomudeng Village in “Every time I brew tea, it’s like talking to seven times amidst turbulent waves, mak- drumbeats and lion shadows. Today, he
Yunnan’s Nujiang, extended a warm invi- Yunnan,” remarked Lim Ai Tuan, founder ing five stops in Malacca. They not only has transformed lion dance from a family
tation to local friends: “Welcome to Nu- of the Malacca Pu’er Tea Art Museum in brought porcelain and silk but also sowed craft into a powerful cultural bond con-
jiang to experience the ‘Oh-de-de’ life!” Malaysia. More than ten years ago, her the spirit of ‘harmony and inclusiveness’ necting Malaysia and China.
As the first person in his village to open a passion for Pu’er tea led her to journey inherent in Chinese civilization.” “The seed of lion dance, originating in
guesthouse, he has since collaborated with to Yunnan, where she delved deep into Chong observed, “Malaysia and China China, took root overseas and blossomed
others to promote his hometown through tea mountains to master tea-making tech- have now entered a new era of ‘spontane- into our own flowers,” Siow shared, his
various initiatives, including short videos niques. She described these experiences ous travel’.” This development follows a eyes gleaming. He spoke of Malaysia
and hiking excursions. not merely as trips, but as “dialogues with visa exemption agreement signed between and China’s joint efforts to apply for the
Yu introduced, “Laomudeng Village, the land, fostering human connection and the two countries in April, allowing their inclusion of ‘lion dance’ in the UNESCO
nestled halfway up a mountain and over- culture.” Upon returning to Malaysia, citizens to travel easily with just their Representative List of the Intangible Cul-
looking the Nujiang Grand Canyon, is Lim actively promoted tea culture, visit- passports. tural Heritage of Humanity, an initiative
celebrated for its quaint Nu ethnic archi- ing schools, associations, and communi- “If Zheng He were to travel back in he actively promotes.
tecture and rich local customs, earning ties to share her knowledge of Pu’er tea time, I believe he would first go back to Siow is dedicated to teaching, attract-
it the name ‘Village on the Clouds’.” and brewing techniques. An experience his hometown of Kunyang in Yunnan,” he ing enthusiasts from diverse clans and in-
As a provincial-level representative in- observing tea farmers in Yunnan pay re- mused. In Malaysia, Zheng He’s indelible ternational disciples. He not only imparts
heritor of Yunnan’s Nu ethnic folk song spects to their ancestors deeply resonated marks, such as the Sam Poh Temple and skills but also conveys the spirit of unity,
“Oh-de-de” —an intangible cultural with her own desire to trace her roots, Sam Poh Well in Malacca, have long been collaboration, strength, and self-reliance.
heritage—he established a team to offer ultimately leading to a fortunate reunion integrated into the local cultural fabric, Continuously innovating in lion head
free Nu ethnic song and dance lessons. with long-lost relatives. “The starting becoming a contemporary annotation of craftsmanship and high-pole performanc-
This initiative integrates traditional point for all of this was a cup of tea,” the spirit of diverse coexistence and a es, he has brought lion dance to the inter-
performances and bonfire parties into she shared. Lim believes this small leaf landmark for tourists to experience cultur- national stage and frequently exchanges
the tourist experience. “I don’t just take embodies the profound spirit of the land, al fusion. ideas with Chinese teams. “Cultural in-
tourists to see the scenery; I want them the warmth of human connection, and the In the vibrant drumbeats of the lion heritance needs roots, but even more, it
to see the mountains and rivers of our richness of culture. dance, however, the inheritance and in- needs a direction,” Siow firmly believes.
homeland and remember our smiles!” The historical ties are equally novation of culture find new life. “Lion “Underneath the lion head beats the same
he said. Thanks to his and the villagers’ long-standing. Chong Swee Huat, Pres- dance is not just a tradition; it’s a trans- heart that loves tradition and yearns for
collective efforts, Laomudeng Village’s ident of the International Zheng He Re- mission of spirit,” said Sifu Siow, known the future. For Malaysia and China to
tourism industry is now thriving. search Academy in Malaysia, recounted as the “Lion King of Malaysia.” Hailing resonate in tradition and innovation is my
The aroma of tea serves as another with deep emotion: “20 years ago, Zheng from Chaozhou, Guangdong, Siow grew greatest happiness.”