May 13, 2010

Pingnan Village Scenes

China started to change 30 years ago! The Communist revolution began with the Long March led by Mao who spent his life inspiring the Chinese. There were of course a lot of sacrifices and millions died for the cause they believed in. There were political upheavals. There were betrayals. That's part of history and part of a country's politics. then China closed its doors to foreigners.

Today 30 years later after the opening of China we see a new throbbing China. See for yourself a new Pingnan and an old Pingnan.

This post is dedicated to my ex-colleague Madam Tiong Ping King...or Ping King Jia.

The New Pingnan...just like Sibu?


While a large part of Pingnan is already re-developed there is one traditional village that is well preserved for tourism and for posterity. There are two distinct homes which have been reserved for conservation and preservation. This is indeed very admirable and inspiring. Even though the work is still in its initial stages I can see that the officials are truly dedicated to these two historical sites.
This is a manual rice huller - in very good condition.

The people here continue to use wood for cooking in their very well preserved historical homes.


A very scenic alley between the houses. A natural stream full of koi (fish) meanders around the village.

Another alley with river by the side.


A village shop.


Pork continued to be sold in the afternoon by a mobile hawker.

9 comments:

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

flooding like Sibu?

Such mobile pork seller, would meat be still fresh in the afternoon?

Ensurai said...

Hi
It seems that flooding is a common event here. The weather is cold. When I was there it was like 18 degrees celcius.

Many of the shops selling meat dumplings still have the raw wrapped dumplings waiting for the customers to come in the afternoon for their snack.

It must be very interesting to live here for a short while.

Ah Ngao said...

wow...very authentic place to be. i like the river but,...wonder how if it overflowed?

Ensurai said...

Yeah Ah Ngao
It overflows. But what is amazing is no body will catch the Koi swimming in the stream...they are just so beautiful. It is part of the government beautification project. And the water is very clean and clear...you can wash your face there I heard...I went on a rainy day...so it was very nostalgic and romantic....sigh....

Bengbeng said...

the first pic is like Sibu

Ensurai said...

Bengbeng
Thanks...it does!! But what is different is that the stream is very clear and you can fish in it....and no one will disturb the koi....which is part of the govt (therefore the people). effort to bring about tourism income.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

If this is anything to relate to the Koi, you will know why people don't catch the Koi.

30 years ago, New Zealand Govt banned the koi. They say they damage the natural habitat. They say no body will eat them because they taste like wire gauze.

People smuggled them in, I don't know how. Now they sell Koi fish in the Asian supermarket, $1.99 a kilo, and no body buys. I asked the worker, does it taste nice. He cheekily says, what do you think? less than $2, and you want it nice.

Ensurai said...

Dear Ann
Never thought of Koi as food on the table. It has always been a decorative fish...and it is supposed to bring in a lot of luck...especially in ponds in rich people's homes....

8 koi in a Chinese painting is good financial awakening. 8 immortals on a cloud is long life. 9 horses in a Chinese painting is success. Peach blossums or plum blossoms - forever young /spring etc....

IceKat said...

I don't suppose you have the plans for that manual rice huller? I'm trying to build one for historical purposes and it's a little difficult to find plans for one.

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