General’s Village in Cangxi

General’s Village in Cangxi

Legend has it that General’s Village produced generals. But after visiting, you’ll realize every villager here is like a general endowed with both literary and military prowess.

“Spring blossoms and autumn harvests make rural scenery surpass the city. Mountains embrace the waters while swallows glide gracefully over the fields.” The couplet on the study door of cultural figure Chen Yexian attests to just how serene and idyllic the generals’ rural life is. Chen Yexian has been engaged in artistic creations such as paper-cutting, calligraphy, root carving, cement painting, and pyrography for over 40 years, and has successively won the titles of “National Cultural Household” and “Second National Green Family.” Among these, cement painting is Mr. Chen’s original creation, renowned nationwide, attracting a constant stream of visitors who come to admire and learn from him.

Cement paintings such as “Peacock Displaying Its Tail,” “Tiger Roaring in the Forest,” and “Nostalgic Ballad of Hometown” are boldly yet exquisitely displayed on the walls of every household.

The village is home to 16 cultural households, with a rich variety of folk culture including calligraphy and painting, root carving, folk paper-cutting, Sichuan opera performances, and gongs, drums, and suona performances. Each year, it attracts tens of thousands of tourists. The tourism and cultural industry income of General’s Village accounts for 60% of the village’s annual income. Honors such as “National Courtyard Culture Household,” “National Eco-Village,” “National Civilized Village,” and “Sichuan Provincial Garden Village” bring great pride to its “generals.”

Just like culture, ecological development flourishes here. “Low-carbon industries + courtyard culture = eco-prosperity” is a military strategy devised by the generals themselves—simple yet profound.

With mountains, water, and a good life, what more could they ask for? Walking along the quiet stone-paved paths, you’ll pass by evergreen Epimedium plants, vibrant red strings of flowers, bright orange citrus fruits, twisted Dragon Claw cypresses, and elegant chrysanthemums… all set against the backdrop of white-walled, blue-tiled farmhouses—a blissful life full of joy.

With their literary and martial talents, they also fulfill their lofty ambitions on the land of the Pear Township.

Source: Government Information Center