Author: Milton Liu
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Water & Reflection
Just some photographs, with a particular emphasis on… introspection? Less focus on the breathtaking landscapes or traditions, more focus on contemplative subjects. At least, my attempt at it. As a neighbor once told me, “balance.” Despite the habitual overcast, shots are from several locations: Beijing,…
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Fengyi: Urban Heart of Maoxian
It was not my first time visiting the town of Fengyi (凤仪) in Maoxian (茂县), but it sure felt like it was. The town has utterly transformed. Walking through the streets at night elicit the particular feelings of a neat and modern city: safe, clean,…
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Another Look at the Countryside
Although I have a couple posts examining the Sichuan countryside already, I don’t think any amount could ever be adequate. Even if the imagery of the countryside ever manages to blend together, I believe there are endless powerful stories that took place in these parts.…
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A Gem in the Mountains: Hei Hu Village
Hei Hu (黑虎) is one of 11 official towns in Maoxian. It is a quintessential Qiang village, with a folksy central area that doubles as a cultural tourist attraction. I initially wanted to make a rather long and detailed post about this village but wasn’t…
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The Big City Ex-Siblings
Chengdu (成都) and Chongqing (重庆): the two major cities of the Sichuan region, each a megacity in their own ways. Well, at least until 1997, when Chongqing “separated” from the Sichuan province and became a municipality. While I’m not entirely sure what prompted the “separation”…
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Liu Valley and Shehong
Shèhóng (射洪) is a small city/county within Sùiníng (遂宁), in east Sichuan. Take a train from Chongqing to Chengdu (or vice versa) and it will pass through Suining on the way. From my brief visit, Shehong is a largely rural area. There is a small…
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A so-called ancient town
On the topic of ancient towns, my opinion is arbitrary, I just felt like over-analyzing it by examining the authenticity and purpose of these locations. At a high level, these places are mostly just aesthetic cultural attractions. Styled after traditional Chinese architecture, with streets designed…
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The old Flower House
During my visit to Chongqing, I traveled to the city’s most western district, Rongchang (荣昌). Unlike the big city, there are not many signs of modernity or luxury in Rongchang, it’s a mostly rural location. But one can find the remnants of a different spirit…
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Tumen and No. 3 Bridge
In eastern Maoxian is the small town of Tumen (土门). The town is quite standard for the region, while being known for a bridge, the No. 3 Bridge (三元桥), or Sanyuan Bridge, which is over a hundred years old. Although this bridge is maybe unremarkable…
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Activities at the park
This short post does not focus on a single park, rather some intriguing activities and encounters one might find at the typical Chinese park. In one quiet spot at a park in Chengdu, I heard a kind of constant, low, droning noise. At first, I…
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Cemetery on a Mountain
Many are familiar with the “mountain city” moniker of Chongqing (重庆). Just about anywhere you go in this enormous city, you will encounter endless stairs and an erratic terrain. Frequent rain and a dense fog are also defining characteristics of Chongqing, along with its highly…
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Diexi: the Town under the Lake
In northern Maoxian (茂县), there is a town and a lake in the mountains, both named Diexi (叠溪). If you peer deeply into the turquoise surface of Diexi Lake, you won’t see much. It’s too colorful and opaque. But be aware, there is an old…
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On Qiāngzú (羌族)
This post serves as an archive on my Qiang research. I collect all of my writing related to Qiang topics here. So, this page may be updated with more pieces in the future. Qiāngzú (Qiang People) Introduction Diexi: the Town under the Lake Tumen and…
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Remembering my Uncle, Liáng Xiāo
Liáng Xiāo (梁萧), my uncle, passed away in 2023. He was the oldest of three siblings, with two little sisters: my aunt and my mom. He had one son, who also is a father, making him a grandfather. It was not until after my uncle…
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A trip to the USS Intrepid
If you’ve spent time in New York City’s west side, you might have noticed an aircraft carrier docked alongside the many piers of the Hudson. This preserved US Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Intrepid, serves as a museum of military history. Back in October 2023,…
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