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Singing our way home

唱出异乡归属感

Location: Gejiu City
Narrator: Xu Aifang, Head of the New Gejiu Residents Art Troupe

“You have two names—one is Gejiu, the other Tin Art Troupe was formally launched. More than forty
Capital…” On a summer morning, the melody of You members from different parts of China have since
Have Two Names carries from a rehearsal room be- bonded through a shared love for the arts, and for the
side Jinhu Lake in Gejiu. Xu Aifang, head of the New life they’re building together in Gejiu.
Gejiu Residents Art Troupe, watches her members— Just two months later, the troupe made its public
who come from Hunan, Sichuan, and other parts of debut with a lakeside performance titled Another
China—as they sing, their voices expressing a grow- Place, Another Home. Choosing to sing You Have
ing connection to the city they now call home. Two Names for their first show was meaningful to
When Xu first came to Gejiu from Urumqi, Xin- Xu and the members. “Loving a city goes beyond the
jiang, three years ago, she didn’t expect to become weather or the food; it’s also about its history and its Long-Stay Travel Journal
a bridge between a new city and home, or the quiet story,” Xu explained. Before rehearsals, they looked in Gejiu City
center of cultural life for a growing community of into Gejiu’s past and present, wanting to express
new Gejiu residents. through song what it means to them to become Gejiu 1. City Highlights
“I was almost talked into coming,” Xu said with residents. Stroll the Jinhu Lake prome-
a laugh. “Friends and family kept posting pictures of On the night of the show, under bright stage lights, nade at sunset and watch the light
Gejiu, all saying, ‘Once you come, you won’t want to as the opening notes of You Have Two Names sound- glow over this city built around
leave.’ I didn’t really believe it.” But the invitations ed, many locals in the audience began humming a lake. For a sweeping view, take
were so persistent that in 2022 she decided to visit, along softly. “In that moment,” Xu recalled, moved, the cable car or climb the steps up
just to see. Stepping off the bus, she was struck right “all the hours of practice just fell away.” Onstage and Laoyin Mountain—from the top
away by the mild climate and laid-back feel of the off, longtime residents and newcomers, voices and you can see all of Gejiu and Jinhu
place—and decided almost on the spot to stay. feelings, came together as one. Lake spread out below.
Xu and other newcomers soon turned into unoffi- The troupe has also become both a welcoming
cial “ambassadors” for Gejiu. As friends and relatives space and a practical bridge. Xu’s phone fills with 2. Food Recommendations
saw how settled and happy they were, more people questions from friends new to town: “Where’s the Try the barbecue at the night
grew curious. Troupe member Ouyang Zhongyuan best place for rice noodles?” or “Any good walks market near the train station or
bought an apartment just three days after her first vis- for the weekend?” Members naturally step into the by the lake—don’t miss the small
it in 2022. Another member, Xiao Xiangdong, after role of Gejiu guides, helping newcomers find their meat skewers, grilled chicken
moving to Gejiu last year, has brought his 99-year-old way. Ouyang Zhongyuan put it plainly: “Being in the feet, and smoky eggplant. For
mother along to retire here. troupe makes you feel you belong. We look out for something lighter, enjoy the local
As more new Gejiu residents arrived, they started each other. Gejiu doesn’t just feel like a new home— rice sheets served with a dipping
looking for connection beyond the views and the it feels like family.” sauce blended from over a dozen
food. The shift began one day during a walk around Speaking about what’s next, Xu said, “We’ll keep spices—it’s refreshing and opens
the lake. “There’s always someone singing or dancing polishing our performances, creating new pieces, and up the appetite. Another favorite is
by Jinhu Lake,” Xu recalled. When someone asked, joining more cultural events. But just as important, the crispy, oil-drizzled dried beef
“Why don’t we start our own troupe?”, the idea we want to be a kind of ‘welcome center,’ to spread jerky, perfect for snacking. Cool
caught fire right away. the word that here in Yunnan there’s a city called Ge- down afterward with a glass of
When the Jinhu Sub-district Office heard about jiu, with warm weather, even warmer people, and a papaya water or sweet fermented
Xu’s idea, they helped arrange a rehearsal space, and real ease of living. Come once, and you’ll leave with glutinous rice, which both refresh
the City Cultural Center provided professional coach- two names: the one you were born with, and the one the palate and cut through the
ing. In May of this year, the New Gejiu Residents you grow into—a Gejiu resident.” richness.