CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Jinyun Village is located in the heart of Jinyun Mountain in Beibei, Chongqing, embraced by vast stretches of bamboo forests. Upon visiting the village with your children, the local villagers, who have grown up among the bamboo, will morph into "masters of the bamboo grove," eagerly sharing their knowledge about bamboo with you and your kids.

Jinyun Village boasts over 5,800 mu of forestland, predominantly lush bamboo groves. Among the village's 30-plus households nestled within these bamboo thickets, many may not be well-versed in written characters, yet they possess an intimate understanding of bamboo, earning them the title of “bamboo experts.”

At present, it's the prime season for admiring bamboo. During weekends and holidays, the village hosts engaging thematic study activities like "Bamboo: A Fascinating Journey" and "The Joy of Understanding Bamboo," consistently drawing in numerous students. Right now, the village committee has called upon 61-year-old villager Dai Chongming (first on left) to step forward. He's now assuming the role of "master of the bamboo grove" and passionately narrating the tales behind these bamboo shoots to the eager children.

Dai Chongming has been a resident of Jinyun Village since childhood. He remarks that he knows every bamboo grove here as intimately as he knows his own children. From discerning the age of each bamboo shoot to identifying the utility of different bamboo species, he can do so at a mere glance.

Dai Chongming possesses exceptional culinary skills, with his specialty being bamboo tube rice. As you can see, he has already located the perfect bamboo for crafting bamboo tubes and is in the process of cutting it down. At noon, he plans to personally guide the eager students through the hands-on experience of preparing bamboo tube rice.

After spending the morning playing in the bamboo forest, the children were fully absorbed in nature, their enthusiasm unwavering. Not only did they become acquainted with every stage of bamboo growth, but they also gained insights into the diverse array of creatures inhabiting the bamboo grove. The educational instructor remarked that such experiences can foster a deep respect for nature and instill a sense of environmental stewardship in the children.

Dai Chongming and the students returned to his yard, proudly carrying their "spoils". The children skillfully cut the bamboo into sections, transforming them into bamboo tubes, and then eagerly filled them with ingredients to craft bamboo tube rice with their own hands.

The beauty of bamboo, as well as its flavor, captivate people’s heart. The tightly sealed bamboo sections are placed over a gentle flame to roast, allowing the fragrances of rice and bamboo to intermingle and waft through the air, much to the eager anticipation of the children.

About 30 minutes later, the bamboo tube rice, prepared by the little girl, was ready. The tender and sticky rice, infused with the delicate aroma of bamboo, tantalized the taste buds. It was a sweet "rendezvous," not only allowing the children to savor the delicious bamboo tube dish but also to experience the joy of labor.

At 65 years old, Li Dengfeng (first on left) stands as another renowned "master of the bamboo grove" in the village. As a true native of Jinyun Village, Li Dengfeng inherits ancestral bamboo weaving skills passed down through generations.

With his expert manipulation of the bamboo knife, a whole bamboo swiftly transforms into delicate strips, mere millimeters in thickness, under Li Dengfeng's skilled hands. After approximately two to three hours of his nimble craftsmanship, a beautifully crafted bamboo basket emerges before everyone's eyes.

Pot brushes, backpacks, baskets, fences... Li Dengfeng and fellow bamboo weaving artisans not only preserve and display traditional bamboo weaving techniques but also serve as educators for countless young individuals. Moreover, their craftsmanship has paved the way for an innovative "study + bamboo" industry model, bolstering the village's collective economy.

Voila! This wind chime crafted by the children from bamboo emits a delightful fragrance and produces soothing bell tones, signaling the joyful conclusion of the bamboo forest research activity. Would you like to embark on a bamboo forest adventure? (Translated by Wang Zhong, Fathom Language Limited)