Bonsai and Root Art

Bonsai and Root Art

　　The bonsai and root art of Changyang Tujia Autonomous County are primarily represented by Gaojiayan Town, known as the "No. 1 Town for Bonsai and Root Art in Hubei." The production of bonsai and root art in Gaojiayan Town began in 1981 and saw major development before the impoundment of the Qingjiang Geheyan Reservoir. Led by farmers such as Xiang Kekai and Zhang Yuanzheng, locals leveraged the rich and unique plant resources of Danshui to vigorously develop the bonsai and root art industry. After more than 20 years of exploration and growth, a specialized bonsai and root art market has now formed, centered around Baiguoping in Gaojiayan Village and stretching nearly 2,000 meters along National Highway 318. The industry has evolved from "household-based shops" and "roadside markets" to large-scale operations characterized by "company + farmer households and the construction of major markets." Currently, there are 55 farmer households in Gaojiayan Village engaged in bonsai and root art production, including two with annual incomes exceeding one million yuan, five with incomes over 500,000 yuan, and 11 with incomes over 100,000 yuan. There are now one million bonsai plants of 30 varieties and 15,000 root art pieces. First-tier protected bonsai species mainly include ginkgo, small-leaved Chinese Distylium, and yew; second-tier protected species include Chinese Distylium, joined privet, dove tree, red flower Michelia, and crape myrtle. Premium varieties are characterized by flowering, fruiting, small leaves, and evergreen foliage year-round, mainly including golden ball, torch, dwarf pagoda, Michelia, azalea, water privet, and late orchid. Gaojiayan’s bonsai and root art focus on Chinese Distylium. Before the impoundment of the Qingjiang Geheyan Reservoir, to rescue this distinctive plant species in the Qingjiang River basin, the bonsai and root art industry in Gaojiayan Village shifted its focus to primarily protecting Chinese Distylium and other native plants in the region. By closely aligning with the urban population’s demand for beautifying living environments, the industry achieved a perfect combination of ecological conservation and commercial benefit. Products are mainly sold to Wuhan, Jingzhou-Sandouping, and Yichang, with some exported as far as Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, and overseas, generating annual sales of 2.5 million yuan. Currently, 43 villagers have been admitted as members of the Hubei Bonsai and Root Art Association. The works of these “farmer artists” have won numerous national and provincial awards. Farmers Xiang Kekai and Yao Wenmei have been recognized as provincial-level “outstanding grassroots talents.” Both China Central Television and Hubei Television have extensively reported on the thriving bonsai and root art scene in Gaojiayan Town. In 2000, senior officials from the agriculture ministries of 14 Southeast Asian countries visited Changyang. After inspecting the specialized bonsai and root art market represented by Gaojiayan, they expressed genuine amazement at how such a spectacular scene could exist in a remote mountain village.

　　With the introduction of natural forest protection policies and the submergence of the Three Gorges reservoir area, the development of bonsai and root art has faced significant constraints. The bonsai and root art industry in Gaojiayan Village has begun adjusting its industrial structure and is gradually achieving three transitions: First, shifting from quantity and scale to quality and efficiency. Through policy support, large-scale planting and contiguous development have been implemented. Under the guidance of relevant policies and regulations, farmer households have formed loosely structured industry alliances that follow the “four unifications and two separations”: unified planning, unified variety selection, unified production, unified sales, with segmented responsibilities and household-based management. In 2000, Gaojiayan Town incorporated the bonsai and root art specialized market into an ecological construction project, establishing the development strategy of “unified planning, household-based construction, reward-based subsidies, and scale expansion.” Leveraging private mechanisms and through policy guidance and appropriate subsidies, farmer enthusiasm has been significantly mobilized. Second, expanding from solely bonsai and root art to include flowers and unusual stones. For example, Xiyu Bonsai Garden, led by Zhang Yuanzheng, has used the advantages of the national highway to improve its courtyard environment, constructing rockeries, small ponds, and flower stands, while introducing rare flowers and unusual stones to enhance the garden, transforming it from a purely economic venture to an artistic cultivation model, thereby raising the standard of its works. Third, moving from random digging and harvesting to nursery cultivation. Based on existing vegetation and land resources, horizontal cooperation and vertical integration have been promoted, forming a “company + base + farmer household” model that encourages farmers to establish their own nurseries. Xiang Kekai, the “King of Bonsai and Root Art” in Hubei, focuses on nursery development and has propagated over 350,000 rare plants such as joined privet, not only enhancing land value but also driving economic growth.

　　The specialized bonsai and root art village of Gaojiayan Town is located along National Highway 318, with easy access east to Wuhan and west to the Chengdu-Chongqing region. It is also adjacent to Danshui, a key part of Changyang’s golden tourism route. With nearly 100,000 tourists visiting Danshui for rafting each year, this presents a significant opportunity for the development of the bonsai and root art industry. Additionally, with the ongoing construction of projects such as the Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway, Yichang-Wanzhou Railway, and West-East Gas Transmission, Gaojiayan Town will enjoy even more favorable geographical advantages. The bonsai and root art industry is poised for an even brighter future, ultimately forming an integrated industrial chain of “rafting on Danshui – viewing bonsai – appreciating flower gardens and unusual stones,” thereby elevating its artistic value and expanding its scale economy.