The winter vacation has arrived, and the time for returning home is upon us.
Let us come together during this holiday season.
Following the "Homecoming Chronicles" series by Little Poplar
We measure the vast expanse of our motherland with our footsteps.
Using Our Eyes to Witness the Transformation of Our Hometown
To sense the pulse of the times with one's heart
With brushstrokes and camera lenses
Documenting the Vibrant Stories of My Hometown
My hometown is Mianyang, Sichuan, hailed as 'the birthplace of Li Bai and China's Science and Technology City.' From the natural scenery of Pingwu, which gained immense popularity through Li Ziqi's videos, to the appearance of Mianyang's Bao'en Temple in the game 'Black Myth: Wukong,' the charm of my hometown has long transcended the boundaries of my memory.
During this winter break, upon returning to my hometown, I walked through its streets and alleys, carefully savoring the new vitality that this city has gained through its journey toward modernization.
The Flavor of Culture: Carrying Forward the Literary Legacy of the Immortal Poet, Transmitting a Great Spirit
A thousand years ago, the great poet Li Bai set out from his hometown of Mianzhou (Mianyang) in the Shu region, leaving behind the heroic sentiment of "looking up to the sky and letting out a long cry as I depart." The literary tradition has continued unbroken for a millennium.
Returning home today, I strolled leisurely through the Yuewang Tower, which Li Bai described in his verse as 'a tower perilously high, a hundred feet tall, where one could reach out and pluck the stars.' Here, the culture of Leizu, the Three Kingdoms' Shu-Han culture, and the Wenchang culture blend and coexist, infusing every resident of Mianyang with a deep-seated reverence for learning and a commitment to righteousness.
As someone who personally experienced the devastating earthquake in Wenchuan, I have always remembered the resilience of this land. The great spirit of disaster relief—"united as one, working as one, fearing no hardship or danger, remaining indomitable, putting people first, and respecting science"—has been carried forward and promoted across the land of Mianyang.
More than a decade after the earthquake, stepping onto the land of New Beichuan, the melody of the song "Beichuan's Beauty Revisited" in one's ears continuously narrates the unwavering belief of the people of Mianyang in self-reliance and tenacious struggle.
The Taste of Ecology: Savoring Nature's Bifts, Building a Livable City
"The Fu River embraces the mountains as it flows; light mist and tall trees characterize Mianzhou." During the traditional Chinese holiday season of the Spring Festival, strolling along the city's walkways with family, watching the green hills reflect the city lights and feeling the river breeze brush against smiling faces, one can truly understand Mianyang's steadfast commitment to 'building a beautiful city through ecology'—to achieving harmony between humanity and nature, allowing this ancient city of millennia to radiate enduring vitality amidst its clear waters and green mountains.
The unique geographical location has endowed Mianyang with its ecological beauty. Serving as an ecological screen for the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, natural wonders such as Huya, Wanglang, and Xianhai Lake paint a picture of a place ideal for living and tourism.
Mianyang is also a key region for biodiversity protection in China. It is home to 160 species of wildlife under state key protection and 79 species of wild plants. The wild giant panda population here accounts for nearly one-quarter of the global total, earning the city the title of 'China's Giant Panda Capital.' The Mianyang Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda is nearing completion.
The Flavor of Fire and Hearth: Conveying Sentiment Through Rice Noodles, Fragrant Through Artisan Craftsmanship
The vibrant 'bustle' rising from the streets and alleys is the warm, gentle heartbeat of Mianyang. This bowl of rice noodles is not merely a breakfast to fill one's stomach; it is the first bite that confirms a returning wanderer's sense of belonging. The noodles, as fine as hair, are dipped three times in and out of the rich bone broth, then topped with tender, flavorful minced beef. How can a single word like 'perfectly satisfying' do it justice!
From the visually appealing and flavorful Taibai Chicken and the crispy, delectable Zitong Crisp Cake to the smoked sausages and preserved meats of Beichuan and the communal Qiang ethnic earth pot hotpot enjoyed around the stove... each flavor is a vivid memory of the city, and even more so, a testament to the enduring craftsmanship and ingenuity passed down through the ages. Together, they form the gustatory map of Mianyang. The finest flavors in the world are found in home cooking, and the most authentic home cooking is always found in the hearth smoke of one's hometown.
Only by traversing the land with your own feet can you truly grasp the vastness of the earth.
Only by feeling with the heart can one perceive the pulse of the times.
Whether one is a traveler or a tourist
Mianyang always possesses the solid confidence and romantic vibrancy of hard power.
Give you the most solid embrace
May we follow the enduring evolution and the light of innovation in culture.
Finding the Original Aspiration for Setting Out
Let every journey be filled with greater strength!
This article was translated with AI assistance.
Editor: Fang Yiran
