Visit to Qinshan Village – The Low Carbon Village of the Future, by Augustine Wereuche Praise

 

Qingshan Village is located in the northeast of Huanghu Town, Yuhang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China. Qingshan Village covers an area of ​​45.6 km2. The village has three medium-sized reservoirs, with about 80% of the area covered by forests. This village has become a popular destination due to its continuous environmental protection activities and lifestyle improvement policies. It is one of the pilot programs of China’s low-carbon village. Our visit to this amazing village in the summer was both exciting and special.

Upon arrival at the village, we were greeted by a guide, who greeted us with a smile and took us to the guest reception area. The guide then gave us a concise overview of the main features of the village, the ongoing activities and the expected outcomes of the villagers.

From the information provided by the guide, we understood that the village was a pilot project initiated by Zhejiang Province with the idea of ​​realizing a zero-carbon city. The village had previously experienced a significant environmental challenge that impacted the community’s main source of water supply. This pollution was caused by the use of fertilizers and pesticides by local farmers. From 2014 to 2023, the village underwent significant development. Initially, there was a strong emphasis on water and environmental protection. This was followed by the establishment of an art and design village. The third phase was characterized by significant government intervention. The government provided funding for the renovation of the village’s infrastructure and the construction of public spaces. As a result of these developments, the village’s standard of living significantly improved. In addition, the village began to attract tourists and young people from China and abroad.

After the brief introduction, we left the room to visit the Art and Design Library. This material library is a project done by Chris, a German designer, in collaboration with two others. The aim of the design team was to promote cultural creativity among the villagers. The library displayed a variety of arts and crafts created using locally sourced materials. The library serves as a platform to integrate indigenous arts and crafts with modern design styles. This activity helps to preserve local craft skills while also promoting a learning environment for the villagers on how to apply their local craftsmanship to contemporary arts. Additionally, the library has been observed to attract a wide range of visitors and design companies to the village. It is a place where one can explore the culture of weaving, tie-die techniques, and dyeing methods, which helps to preserve local craft skills and improve the livelihood of the villagers.

The design library and other ongoing projects have become a source of interest for young people, also helping to reduce the rate of constant influx of young people into the city. The library’s collection includes both modern and contemporary art, which helps to ensure the preservation of local artistic traditions.

After the library visit, we went to the conflict resolution area. This is where villagers can sit together to resolve any conflicts or disagreements regarding the upkeep of the village. It is also used as a forum to discuss potential improvements to the village. It helps create an atmosphere where everyone’s opinions can be heard; it is said that all disputes are resolved here. This provides a platform for villagers to actively engage in their community, ensuring that they feel valued and protected from outside influences.

The next destination was Qingshan Nature School, led by principal Jill Quan. The school provides environmental protection education to young people. It also offers a free summer nature camp for children every year, which has allowed them to learn about nature and the importance of ensuring environmental protection.

Later, we took a short hike to see the river. The river was the main source of water for the villagers. It has undergone various treatments. The aim is to improve the quality of the river water, which was previously severely polluted. The contamination is a result of the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides. Upon arrival, everything looked so neat and well-organized. The river area was decorated with artistic paintings and protected by some walls. A technological effect was also added to the river area. Visitors can scan a QR code and then get a short animated story about the history of the village. I found this really cool and interesting. There were also some warning signs if you get too close to the river.

After our visit to the river, we went back to a place where we were served local food. We were introduced to various types of dishes. Each one had a unique taste; it really represented the native culture of the villagers. Afterwards we had a small arts and crafts section where we were taught the art of making hand fans using bamboo sticks. The teacher taught us how to carefully arrange the bamboo sticks and how to work them into a design. It was truly a distinctive experience.

In conclusion, my visit to this unique village was not only informative, but also exciting. I learned more about China than I had ever known, I was particularly impressed by the extraordinary transformation of a village into a modern and nature-friendly area. The combination of technology and nature in the village was amazing and the commitment to this project was admirable. For me, the village was a well-organized city and yet in tune with nature.

 

■ In Praise of Augustine Wereuche
[Student ID: 9230222004]

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