The third time is the charm, and week 3, 14-17 March, did not disappoint. Here are the highlights.
On Tuesday, 14 March, we bused to China Film International Cinema, probably the largest cineplex I’ve ever been in, covering 13,000 square meters, 15 theatres, and all underground. Before the movie, we briefly toured the theatre and saw elements from various films in transparent cases… so much better than just posters on the wall. We watched “Wandering Earth II,” an epic film of global cooperation to save the world from being consumed by the sun within 100 years by literally moving planet Earth out of this solar system and steering it on a course for another galaxy. How? Oodles of serious mega-thrusters called mountain movers.
Inside China Film International Cinema
Between the very comfortable seating, the stunning visuals and sound system of China Film’s CINITY technology, and of course, the story plot, it was a deeply immersive viewing experience. CINITY is a state-owned independent brand movie projection system, producing 165 films to date. The concept of having to move the planet out of harm’s way is not unimaginable; neither is getting the world powers to cooperate. The underpinning point was that China was able to broker world peace and cooperation and was, in the end, the lynchpin to getting everyone on board to save the planet.
Street view of Moshikou Historical and Cultural Preservation Area, Shijingshan District, Beijing
On Thursday, we visited Shijingshan District, also within Beijing municipality. Moshikou Historical and Cultural Preservation Area, is essentially a Hutong preserved as a living museum. A Hutong is a neighbourhood of alleys linking traditional courtyard residences. It brought home to me the clarity with which I could see Grenada’s smaller villages benefitting from being designated historical and cultural areas… but that is dependent on public-private-community cooperation. Moshikou residents were going about their business, paying scant attention to our group of over 60, taking pictures and selfies, and buying coffee, snacks and fruit from the sidewalk vendors. Coffee was essential to combat the wind chill that morning.. before we hiked up the hill to the Fahai Temple, a Ming dynasty Buddhist temple, and then the steps to get into the temple courtyard. What stunning architecture and peaceful vibe!
Approaching Fahai Temple
On the way down, we were sufficiently warmed up for the next destination, which turned out to be something out of a sci-fi movie: Zhongguancun Science Fiction Industry Innovation Centre and Shougang No.1 Blast Furnace-SoReal Metaverse Paradise—I kid you not. Most of the hi-tech information went over my head, but I was seriously impressed by the environment. The estate once housed a steel factory but was converted to house multiple science fiction and related technology industries…without demolishing the external steel factory infrastructure. A 2-for-1 tourism draw…old and new world technologies seamlessly existing in the same landscape. This a lesson for developers and builders at home who insist on tearing down the old to build new that is neither aesthetic nor tasteful.
Zhongguancun Science Fiction Industry Innovation Centre
On Friday, we had the pleasure of a Tai Chi/Taijiquan class with Yang Songquan, an 11th-generation inheritor of Chen-style Taijiquan who has practiced Taijiquan for over 66 years. He has been teaching traditional Taijiquan to the public for over 30 years and brought it to Peking University, the highest university in China. What appeared so simple to watch was not exactly simple to do with my 2 left feet, but I did feel refreshed at the end of our session. We were given a booklet with the regimen, so that is something new to incorporate into my day while I am here.
Taijiquan demonstration with Yang Songquan and his students
Next week, we have another session on Chinese Culture Experience: Chinese language. Finally, I’ll be able to say more than hello.