{"id":7654,"date":"2023-08-01T13:32:10","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T05:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pureviewartfoundation.org\/?page_id=7654"},"modified":"2026-02-06T11:58:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T03:58:24","slug":"arriving-in-liang-deng-without-discovery-without-understanding-without-listening-there-is-no-way-to-change-pure-view-liang-deng-miao-village","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/www.pureviewartfoundation.org\/zh\/project\/arriving-in-liang-deng-without-discovery-without-understanding-without-listening-there-is-no-way-to-change-pure-view-liang-deng-miao-village\/","title":{"rendered":"Arriving in Liang Deng: “Without discovery, without understanding, without listening, there is no way to change” | Pure View\u00ae Liang Deng Miao Village"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u5bf9\u4e0d\u8d77\uff0c\u6b64\u5185\u5bb9\u53ea\u9002\u7528\u4e8eEnglish<\/a>\u3002 For the sake of viewer convenience, the content is shown below in the alternative language. You may click the link to switch the active language.<\/p>

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The actual journey from Phoenix Ancient Town to Liang Deng Village in Shanjiang Town is indeed more challenging than we imagined.<\/p>\n

The mountain road winds up along the cliff with many sharp turns. Driver Tian basically honks all the way to alert any unseen vehicles around corners.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7655″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

270-degree hairpin bends<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]When meeting oncoming traffic, especially large vehicles like cement mixers or herds of goats running about, it can get tricky…[\/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1722488273269-98ce6bce-1c1e-10″ include=”7656,7657″][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]It’s no wonder that Driver Tian says only experienced local drivers dare to drive this route.<\/p>\n

As we go further, the signs of human habitation become fewer and the vegetation becomes denser. After a bumpy ride, but without incident, we reach Liang Deng Village, deep in the mountains, a place so remote even eagles struggle to fly over.<\/p>\n

Mud walls, tile roofs, and steep stone steps lead to the courtyard where we will be staying. An elderly neighbor leans over her low, self-built wall, curiously watching us, these “visitors from afar.” Beside her, wild flowers grow freely along the broken wall, blooming vibrantly just like the sun overhead.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7658″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Volunteers unload luggage and supplies upon arrival in Liang Deng Village.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]At four in the afternoon, the volunteers arrive at Wu Guozhuang\u2019s home, dragging suitcases and supplies.<\/p>\n

In the dimly lit room, an old cassette player leans against a gray-black wooden wall, and dusty buffalo horns hanging from the beams reveal the age of this century-old house.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7659″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Wu Guozhuang helps turn on the lights and tidy up the storage room.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]Our host, Wu Guozhuang, only has two beds in his house.<\/p>\n

“How will 19 volunteers sleep?”<\/p>\n

Extra space is cleared by cleaning out a small storeroom and the back passage.[\/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1722488273270-124af414-5573-3″ include=”7660,7661″][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]The roof leaks when it rains;[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7662″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]The main room has an uneven floor, which might cause backaches after a night’s sleep.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7663″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]Even though we were prepared to sleep on the floor, the allocation of space is still a matter for discussion, involving issues of safety and privacy.<\/p>\n

Teacher Li considers all options and ultimately arranges for the younger volunteers and female volunteers to stay in the best room, while male volunteers take up positions in the back passage, with Teacher Li and the staff “guarding the entrance.”[\/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1722488273271-d30f2414-de7a-6″ include=”7664,7665”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Volunteers allocate and organize their sleeping arrangements on the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]There is only one outdoor latrine, about ten meters away, which we must use due to our large number. We need to be quick when using the wooden suspended squat toilet.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7666″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The latrine covered with black nylon fabric<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_single_image image=”7667″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The interior of the latrine<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]The volunteers’ biggest concern, bathing, is put to rest when they see the single water tap outside the house. This is the most convenient water source in Liang Deng Village \u2014 the water pipes in Group One were installed through great effort by Wu Guozhuang, who managed donations and convinced each household to contribute 2,000 yuan. The other four groups do not have access to tap water.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7668″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

19 volunteers and the family of three from the Wu household share this single water tap<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1722489874802-361ad9fb-1056-1″ include=”7670,7671″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

A monument commemorating the construction of a water reservoir<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]Cooking requires chopping wood and using a large clay stove, which poses some challenges for us.[\/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1722489958753-23f68777-308e-10″ include=”7672,7673″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Wu Guozhuang helps chop wood and cook dinner.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_single_image image=”7674″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Teacher Wang helps prepare food.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_single_image image=”7675″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Young volunteers help stoke the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]We remove door panels to use as tables and stools as stands \u2013 this is said to be the highest form of hospitality among the Miao people. The chicken cooked in a large pot over a wood fire is incredibly fragrant, and the fish and shrimp caught from the village stream make for a very satisfying meal, likely the most sumptuous one we’ll have in the village.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7676″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Welcome ceremony upon arrival \u2013 the long table banquet<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]During the long table banquet, the village head, party secretary, and Uncle Wu discuss the poverty situation in the village \u2013 difficult roads, water shortages, loss of young population, increasing numbers of left-behind children and elderly…<\/p>\n

This is when we learn that the treacherous mountain road was built by the villagers themselves, carrying sweet potatoes as provisions and working together. The sharp turns we found illogical were created using dynamite. This also explains why these \u201cillogicalities\u201d exist.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7677″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]The current electrical wires were also installed by the villagers themselves, lifting heavy poles up the mountain and helping to string the lines, making electricity somewhat more accessible, “the poles were very heavy, now thinking about it, if someone had slipped, everyone would have been in danger.”[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7678″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]Before the \u201cillogical\u201d road was built \u2013 before 2006 \u2013 all supplies, such as fertilizers, seeds, and daily necessities, had to be carried up and down the mountainside.<\/p>\n

Because the roads are so difficult, tourism development is hindered \u2013 tourists find it hard to come in;
\nTransporting goods out of the village is also challenging \u2013 large trucks cannot enter;
\nNow the village is listed as an ancient Miao village protected area, and houses cannot be demolished or rebuilt;
\nPreserving the houses while also improving them and finding a way forward for the village is not an easy task.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7679″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

An overview of Liang Deng Village Group One taken from above<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]”Without discovery, without understanding, without listening, there is no way to change.”
\nWu Guozhuang, who has been supporting us enthusiastically since the beginning of our preparations, is an ordinary person in our eyes. He works in Zhejiang digging trees and returns to the village during the summer to be with his children. He has always tried his best to help the village and promote it, hoping that Liang Deng Village can be seen by more people and that his hometown can improve.<\/p>\n

The children participating in our “Pupil Art Encounter\u00ae Liang Deng Miao Village” program are from Group Two in Liang Deng Village. Groups Three, Four, and Five are too far away, making travel to and from school inconvenient. (To traverse all five groups of Liang Deng Village takes an entire day.)[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7680″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Volunteers distribute art supplies and materials to the village children.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2vw”][vc_column_text]What will happen tomorrow?
\nLet’s pray it doesn’t rain tonight.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","categories":[],"project_status":[],"class_list":["post-7654","project","type-project","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pureviewartfoundation.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/7654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pureviewartfoundation.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pureviewartfoundation.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/project"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.pureviewartfoundation.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/7654\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7683,"href":"https:\/\/www.pureviewartfoundation.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/7654\/revisions\/7683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pureviewartfoundation.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7654"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pureviewartfoundation.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7654"},{"taxonomy":"project_status","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pureviewartfoundation.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project_status?post=7654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}