"it seems to me suddenly," Xing Zhen said. "I suddenly realized that all I had done was trying to cater for a widely recognized value system, but I didn't even fully understand the value system." After
renovate and strengthen their shelter, the couple further explored the challenge of housing. They visited academics and skilled craftsmen to learn how to make vinegar, soy sauce and beer, how to weave clothes, how to raise poultry, and how to make kitchen utensils and soap. They transformed a bicycle into a generator and made a washing machine, a solar panel and a small wind turbine.
with the help of a nearby college student, the couple spent more than two years building second two storey buildings with bamboo, rock, clay and recycled building materials.
"I think the local farmers will be able to build the house in less than two weeks." Tang Guanhua said.
as the news about the couple's experiment spread, the local farmers shook their heads suspiciously, and the curious people came in and the criticism began to emerge. A CCTV interview show that star guests mocked that they were "challenging modern civilization", accusing them of "delusional", teasing them that they could not entertain their parents on holidays. Even their friends were very confused about their behavior.
, contrary to these criticisms, Tang Guanhua and Xing Zhen said the purpose of the experiment was neither to pursue an ascetic lifestyle nor to abandon the results of modernization. They say they just want to explore another way of life for those who can not adapt to the modern urban society.
"at the beginning of this project, I hope it will be a plan to solve the social problems that I care about," Tang Guanhua said.
encouraged by his parents, Tang Guanhua thought about starting his own business in high school. He has worked as an advertising designer and a marketing planner, making some money. After that, he dropped out of high school and became addicted to travel.
"it's the trip that changed my view of the world," said the tall, thin man with a straight hair and humble nature.
in places like Macao, Tang Guanhua witnessed the flourishing development of Commerce and entertainment industry, and also saw the greed and hypocrisy of human nature. "It made me feel puzzled about the purpose of my life, so I began to think about whether I wanted to be that kind of person," he thought. At the age of
18, Tang Guanhua was influenced by an artist friend and began to express his concern for the society through street art and photography. However, after realizing that these efforts were not lasting influence on others, he created the idea of building a self - sufficient community with the help of his friends. In order to raise the cost, he set up a non-governmental organization to receive donations. However, donations from individuals should not exceed 1000 yuan (contract $160). "
" this is not a project on money, "Tang Guanhua said." if you have the ability to donate so much money, we would like you to donate some materials, such as building materials and recyclable things, or you can join us to test the project. "
he later named the experiment the "AnotherLand home project" and set up a series of steps to achieve her goal.
first, he needs to determine whether self-sufficiency in life is possible. And through his experiments in Laoshan, this seems to have basically come true. Second, he wants to expand the scale of the project and allow more people to participate. Later this year, the couple will build a larger community in Fuzhou, the capital city of Fujian province. Other steps include sharing their experiences with urban residents and publishing a self-sufficient guide, which is currently under preparation.
more and more people have begun to pay attention to their projects. Yang Haitao is a student of Ocean University of China in Qingdao. He is one of thousands of volunteers who participated in this project in recent years. When he came here recently, he said he learned how to make soap, vegetables and shoes with waste oil.
"if there is a larger community in the future, I think I will take part in it." Yang Haitao said.
Tang Guanhua says he just wants to build a community for people who have the same ideal as him, and his goal is to help the later generations decide whether they want to live a life away from modern cities, without relying on modern technology.
"I wouldn't want a child before building a self-sufficient community," Tang Guanhua said. "Maybe my kids would prefer to live in the city. But at least I want to provide them with another alternative way of life.
translation is translation agency Qian Gong Yi
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