Around Qiantang River communities, the youth and the old pick up their paint brushes to draw a uniquely new Hangzhou. 

Train Ziming Pan - An 84-year-old retiree living in Xianlinyuan Neighborhood 

Originally from Fujian, Ziming Pan received a job assignment in Quzhou, Zhejiang, after graduating from college. Then he moved to Hangzhou, and worked in the mechanical and electrical industry. “Back then it took days, instead of hours to travel,” said Pan. “I never thought it would only take 5-6 hours by High Speed Rail from Hangzhou to Beijing." 

Inheritance and development - Zheng Xu, 8-year-old, Third grade at Changshouqiao Primary School 

A very small image of three pools mirroring the moon, a tiny black awning boat, a tiny lotus, and a mini Leifeng Pagoda, all drawn on just half a page of paper. The boy put down his brush pondering: What to draw for the other half? The Military Parade came to his mind. Thinking about 1949 and 2019, he drew the "Large Golden Globe”—a five star hotel in Hangzhou and Raffles City on the right. "The left side represents traditional Hangzhou, with West Lake and Leifeng Pagoda carrying on the history, while the right side is modern day Hangzhou. This is inheritance, as well as development." 

The next generation - A family raising Straight-A Students 

Brothers Boyu Yu and Bowen Yu, are both new students at their schools. One is a freshman in Hangzhou No.4 High School, and another is a new pupil in Hangzhou Qiantang Experimental Primary School. After they took a group photo with their painting, their father wanted to say a few words: "This is my 22nd year in Hangzhou, and I have seen progress along the Qiantang River with each passing day. I hope the era we live in, is when our country is prosperous and strong. I hope that our next generation will study hard for the great rejuvenation of our nation." 

Blessings - A family of 9 members taking the 85-year-old great grandma to appreciate the river view

Tianqi Zhou and his cousin Yuxuan Liang started to paint as soon as they held the brushes. Tianqi Zhou took the lead and drew the tidewater at the bottom, the High Mountain and green trees, as well as high-rise buildings. He said this is the night view of Qiangtang River they just enjoyed tonight. There are 9 members here today from Tianqi Zhou's family, and the eldest great grandmother is 85-year-old. "My grandson bought the tickets and invited us here to see Qianjiang Light Show. It is the first time that I took a boat to see the Show,” she said.

Towards Happiness - Yunli Bai Living in Hangzhou for 1 year, from Gansu

"It is nearly a 30 hour train ride from my hometown to Hangzhou, yet it carries me towards happiness," said Yunli Bai, a young woman from Gansu. After living in Hangzhou for more than 1 year, she made Hangzhou her second hometown. In her painting, the train is heading towards a continuous row of high-rises and beautiful West Lake view. 

Change of Time - Chengjie Xie, post-90s generation, Hangzhou

In the mind of Chengjie Xie, the young native Hangzhou man born in the post-90s generation, all tiny changes in his hometown makes him proud and happy. In his painting, there is the announcement of the successful listing World Heritage of Liangzhu Culture, a cartoon image of poet Su Shi with a bowl of Braised Pork Belly in hand, the Qiantang River Bridge which remains as sturdy and durable as the day it finished construction, and Hangzhou Metro that brings people a lot of convenience in traveling. 

Executive Editor: Ke Ye

Translation: Ke Ye, Xiaodan Chen