General’s Village of Cangxi

　　  “Spring blossoms and autumn harvests; the rural charm surpasses the city. Mountains embrace the waters, as swallows glide gracefully over the fields.” The couplet on the study door of cultural figure Chen Yexian reflects just how leisurely and contented the lives of these “generals” are. Chen Yexian has been engaged in artistic creations such as paper-cutting, calligraphy, wood carving, cement painting, and pyrography for over 40 years, and has been honored as a “National Cultural Model Household” and “Second National Green Family.” Among these, cement painting is Chen’s original creation, renowned nationwide, attracting endless streams of visitors who come to admire his work or learn the craft.

　　  Cement paintings such as “Peacock Displaying Its Tail,” “Tiger Roaring in the Forest,” and “Nostalgic Village Ballads” adorn the walls of homes, exuding majesty yet refined in beauty.

　　  The village is home to 16 cultural model households. Folk arts such as calligraphy and painting, wood carving, paper-cutting, Sichuan opera performances, and gongs, drums, and suona performances flourish in full bloom, attracting tens of thousands of tourists every year. Tourism and cultural industries account for 60% of the village’s annual income. Honors such as “National Courtyard Culture Model Household,” “National Eco-Village,” “National Civilized Village,” and “Sichuan Provincial Garden Village” bring great pride to these “generals.”

　　  Ecological development thrives here just as culture does. “Low-carbon industries + courtyard culture = ecological 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 find evergreen cycas, bright red bunches of flowers, oranges glowing red, twisty dragon-claw cypresses, and elegant chrysanthemums... All set against the backdrop of whitewashed houses with black-tiled roofs—a blissful life brimming with joy.

　　  With their wisdom and valor, they fulfill their grand ambitions right here in the land of pears.

　　  Source: Government Information Center