A different perspective of the Great Wall: Experience unique intangible cultural heritage

By Junye Zhang, Wang Ruoxin, and Ji Yunfan (Intern)

Sansi Village, nestled at the foot of the Great Wall, has a rich history intertwined with this magnificent cultural heritage. The village’s name itself reflects its historical connection to the Great Wall, as it was once a unit of the Great Wall garrison. Established in the Ming Dynasty, Sansi Village boasts a history spanning over 600 years, with several cultural traditions passed down through generations.

The first of these is the Chinese character “shua’r,” a complex character meaning “what.” This unique expression is a part of the Yanqing dialect and is commonly used only by residents of the Yanqing District, making it almost unintelligible outside the region. The second is cypress-smoked meat, an intangible cultural heritage that Sansi Village rediscovered. With a history of over 100 years, it has been recognized as part of the third batch of intangible cultural heritages in the Yanqing District. Additionally, the village has established many homestays that reflect the culture of the Great Wall, showcasing its deep connection with this iconic structure.

In this episode, we follow Kang Jia (Diamond), a Cameroonian actress in China, as she explores Sansi Village. She will guide us through the experience of learning to write the character “shua’r,” observing the process of preparing cypress-smoked meat, and visiting Great Wall-themed homestays to discover why this is such a popular tourist destination. Let’s join her on this journey to enjoy the fun activities and gain a deeper understanding of the village!