From June 25th to July 3rd, 2025, the Zhishan GDD team journeyed into Changning County, Sichuan. Amidst the karst mountains and vast bamboo seas, they embarked on a field study exploring villages, industries, and the profound connection between people and the land.
We wandered through emerald bamboo forests and stepped into sun-dappled rural courtyards. Here, the soil was soft underfoot, and conversations were warm. Each narrative shared by the locals was like a sprouting story, quietly taking root beneath our feet.
Following Mountain Paths, Guided by Bamboo Breezes
Nestled in southern Sichuan, Changning is renowned for the "Shunan Bamboo Sea." This land is rich in bamboo shoots and bamboo fungus, and it safeguards generations of local craftsmanship and folk traditions. Divided into four groups and guided by professors and teaching assistants, we delved into the fabric of daily life. Our research topics ranged from funeral customs and local liquor to women's labor and family memories. Step by step, we learned to record the world with our ears and perceive human connections with our hearts.
I. Touching History, Knocking on Doors
On June 26th, we traced the patterns of history at the Hongmo Culture Exhibition Hall. That afternoon, we entered the villages and knocked on our first doors.
II. Becoming Familiar through Repetition, Drawing Closer through Dialogue
From June 27th to July 1st, through repetition and conversation, we grew accustomed to the rhythm of the local dialect. We learned to let our questions gently settle into the flow of everyday life itself.
III. Team Reflections
Chihiro Yoshihara, Japan
"I'm Chihiro Yoshihara from Japan. Our group's theme was the commercialization trends within the evolution of rural funeral rituals. We investigated the current state of funeral ceremonies in Changning County and the extent of commercialization in these practices. We learned detailed procedures from villagers. Furthermore, we interviewed Taoist priests, Yin-Yang masters, and rural banquet chefs, gaining deep insight into their work. They even showed us the tools they use. Through this fieldwork, we acquired knowledge unavailable within the classroom walls. It was a precious experience."
Ryunosuke Kodama, Japan
"I'm Ryunosuke Kodama from Japan. Our group researched why Chinese people enjoy baijiu (white liquor). Initially, I was unfamiliar with interview techniques. I just had a personal interest in baijiu and was unsure how to proceed. But through communication with my teammates and TAs, I honed my interviewing skills and gradually developed my own understanding of this seemingly personal question. The reasons for choosing baijiu might not just be personal preference but also influenced by culture, such as Chinese pride in this liquor. Simultaneously, this social practice gave me a deeper understanding of power structures within Chinese society. This was an invaluable experience. Thank you, everyone!"
Cynthia Zhang, Indonesia
"This social practice in Yibin, Sichuan, was immensely rewarding. We visited a handmade fan factory, a bamboo shoot processing plant, local homes, and several rural sites, gaining a deep understanding of how rural women diligently work while caring for their families. Their resilience moved me deeply. I also learned how to conduct interviews, organize materials, prepare presentations, and grew through team collaboration. This was not just a learning opportunity but an unforgettable life experience. I will always cherish this valuable journey."
Jiwon Jang, South Korea
"I'm Jiwon Jang from South Korea. Our group investigated the topic of 'side jobs' or part-time work. We found that many people choose part-time work not only for extra income but also to gain additional social experience. We developed a deeper understanding of Chinese societal structures, including 'career development' and 'income distribution,' and gained more insight into the diverse perspectives and needs young people have regarding work. This experience not only enhanced our research skills but also helped us better understand attitudes towards work, income, and career development in a different culture. Thank you, everyone!"
IV. Gathered in Reflection, Illuminated by Stories
On July 2nd, all team members gathered to talk, revisiting field encounters and sharing those moments illuminated by the stories we collected.
Initially, we knew nothing about "fieldwork." Our questions were awkward, the language was a barrier, and even listening was challenging. But life requires a gradual approach. Through repeated interviews, we learned how to wait, how to understand, how to ask questions without intruding, and how to let answers flow naturally.
The understanding and cooperation among team members were the warmest part of this journey. Some led conversations, others supplemented notes, others listened intently—we weren't conducting research individually, but were discovering, analyzing, and responding together. This "wisdom of presence" was the most vivid form of learning.
For us international students from diverse cultural backgrounds, understanding the Chinese countryside, understanding "tradition" and "society," was no easy task. But chatting, observing, discussing—even pondering a single word or interpreting a gesture—allowed us to feel bridges of understanding being built.
In the depths of the bamboo forest, we saw a different China, and we also encountered a more profound version of ourselves, shaped by reality.
