Siheyuan: Silly Pillar is Kind

"Siheyuan Storm" The lively atmosphere of the Spring Festival gradually faded, and the Siheyuan and the newly built traditional cultural block ushered in the daily operation stage. But new problems emerged unconsciously like spring weeds. On this day, the owners of several new shops in the block found the residents of the Siheyuan, with worried faces. The owner of one of the handicraft shops said: "Dear neighbors, our block was very lively when it first opened, but now the number of customers is getting less and less. What can we do?" Lao Li frowned and said: "Yes, it's just the New Year, it shouldn't be. The number of tourists in our Siheyuan has also dropped a bit." Xiao Ming thought for a while and said: "I think it may be that the publicity has not kept up, and we have to think of ways to add some new highlights and activities, otherwise tourists will not want to come again after coming once." Everyone nodded and felt that Xiao Ming made sense. So they decided to discuss a new plan together. After discussion, everyone decided to jointly organize a traditional skills experience month event, inviting tourists to personally participate in the production of traditional handicrafts, traditional snack cooking, etc., and at the same time increase publicity efforts, using online platforms and surrounding tourist publicity points for promotion. In the process of preparing for the event, the residents of the courtyard and the shop owners divided the work and cooperated. Lao Wang was responsible for contacting some traditional skills masters to guide tourists. He called one by one: "Master Zhang, this is Lao Wang. There is an event in our courtyard block. I would like to invite you to teach everyone how to do handicrafts. You must come." Master Zhang readily agreed on the other end of the phone. After the event started, it really attracted many tourists. A young tourist excitedly said to the owner of a handicraft shop: "This experience is great. I have never tried to make a kite by myself. I feel so fulfilled." The owner of the handicraft shop smiled and said: "Haha, this is the charm of our traditional skills. I hope you like it and help us promote it more." However, as the event unfolded, some minor coordination problems emerged. For example, the snack bar did not have enough food, so some tourists had to wait for a long time before they could participate in the experience; and the handicraft production area was a bit crowded because there were too many tourists. The owner of the snack bar said to Lao Li anxiously: "Uncle Li, the number of people is much more than we expected, and there is not enough food. What can we do?" Lao Li hurriedly said: "Don't worry, I will ask a few young people to go to the nearby market to buy some, you explain it to the tourists first." Xiao Ming maintained order in the crowded handicraft production area: "Everyone, don't squeeze, line up, everyone has a chance to experience it." After this event, the popularity of the Siheyuan and the block has become popular again. But everyone also realized that the subsequent management and preparation work must be more sufficient. Not long after, the block management committee received good news that a cultural exchange group wanted to visit the Siheyuan and the block for exchanges, and there were many foreign friends among them. This made everyone excited and nervous. Lao Zhang said with some worry: "Can these foreigners understand our culture? We have to prepare well." Xiao Ming said confidently: "Uncle Zhang, this is a good opportunity. We can arrange some volunteers who are proficient in foreign languages ​​to explain to them, and prepare some bilingual introduction materials." On the day when the cultural exchange group arrived, the courtyard and the block were dressed up to welcome them. A foreign friend was very interested in the architectural style of the courtyard. He asked Lao Zhang through the translator: "The design of this courtyard is really exquisite. Does it have any special meaning?" Lao Zhang smiled and replied: "This courtyard reflects the importance we Chinese attach to family and reunion. Look at this courtyard surrounded by four sides, it's like a family sitting together." The foreign friend nodded and his eyes were full of admiration. When visiting the handicraft shop, the foreign friend saw the exquisite paper-cut works and couldn't put them down. "How was this cut out? It's amazing." A foreign lady asked in surprise. The owner of the handicraft shop picked up scissors and paper and demonstrated on the spot. The foreign lady was learning carefully. Although she didn't cut it like the original, she smiled happily: "This is really wonderful art. I want to take this work back." This cultural exchange activity was very successful. The courtyards and blocks have also gained a certain degree of international fame. More and more international tourists come here, bringing new vitality and opportunities. But at the same time, it also puts forward higher requirements for the international service level of the courtyards and blocks. The residents gathered together again to discuss how to improve the service. Some people suggested adding more foreign language signs, and some people suggested training residents in some simple foreign language daily expressions. In the constant development and change, the courtyards and blocks are like a giant ship sailing in the sea of ​​culture, constantly adjusting their course and heading towards a wider world, and everyone on the ship is full of confidence and looking forward to a new journey.

"Siheyuan Storm" As the Siheyuan and the block become more well-known internationally, more and more international tourists come here to visit, and new challenges are coming one after another. One day, a foreign tourist suddenly held his stomach and looked painful after having a meal at a folk snack bar in the block. This scared the owner of the snack bar, and he hurried over to ask: "Are you okay? What's wrong?" The foreign tourist said weakly: "I have a stomachache." The snack bar owner comforted him and called for help. The news soon spread to the Siheyuan, and Xiao Ming and several residents rushed over. Xiao Ming said anxiously: "We have to send him to the hospital quickly." Lao Zhang also said anxiously: "But we can't speak the language, how can we communicate with the hospital?" At this time, a young volunteer who can speak English stood up and said: "I will go with him, and I can explain the situation to the doctor." When they arrived at the hospital, after examination, it turned out that the foreign tourist was allergic to the ingredients in a certain snack. After the doctor gave some precautions, everyone was relieved. This incident made everyone realize that in addition to language, when receiving international tourists, we must also consider their dietary differences and possible health problems. After returning to the courtyard, everyone gathered together to discuss solutions. Someone suggested marking the ingredients that may cause allergies on the menu of the snack bar, and noting them in multiple languages ​​including English. The owner of the snack bar nodded repeatedly: "This is a good idea. We can't let this happen again." At the same time, in order to better serve international tourists, the courtyard and the block began to organize residents and shop staff to participate in international tourism service training courses. During the course, the training teacher said: "Understanding the cultural customs of different countries is crucial to our service. For example, people in some countries don't like to be touched by strangers. We should pay attention to this when guiding tourists." Lao Li listened carefully and asked questions from time to time: "What should we pay attention to in terms of catering if we encounter Muslim tourists?" The training teacher replied: "Muslim tourists follow the Islamic dietary regulations and prohibit pork. We must ensure that the food provided is in line with their beliefs." After the training, everyone's service awareness and ability have been greatly improved. Not long after, a large international tour group came to the courtyard and the block. There were tourists from different countries and regions in the tour group, and everyone was fully prepared. A French tourist was very interested in the flowers in the courtyard when visiting the Siheyuan. He asked Xiao Ming, "These flowers are so beautiful. What are their names?" Xiao Ming replied in fluent English, "These are peonies. They are very famous in Chinese traditional culture and symbolize prosperity and beauty." The French tourist exclaimed, "They are amazing. Just like this courtyard." During the folk performances, a Japanese tourist was particularly fascinated by the dragon dance. He said to the resident next to him, "We also have dragon dances in Japan, but the dragon dances here are very imposing." The resident smiled and responded, "You are welcome to appreciate it. This is a traditional cultural treasure of our Chinese nation." With the increase in international tourists, Siheyuan and the neighborhood have also received some invitations for international cooperation. An international cultural research institution hopes to cooperate with the courtyard to conduct in-depth research on the architectural culture and folk culture here, and share the research results internationally. The representative of the institution came to the courtyard and said to the residents: "We are very interested in the unique cultural value of your courtyard. We hope to conduct in-depth research here and jointly promote the spread of this culture." Xiao Ming responded on behalf of the residents: "We are very glad to cooperate with you. We hope that through our joint efforts, more people around the world can understand and love our traditional culture." In the process of cooperation, researchers and residents have dug deep into the historical data of the courtyard and analyzed every detail of the building. Old residents took out their treasured old photos and memories to provide materials for the research. Old Zhang took out a yellowed photo and said to the researchers: "This is what my Siheyuan looked like when I was a child. Although it was shabby at that time, it was full of vitality and everyone was very happy." The researchers were overjoyed and carefully asked about the story behind the photo. Through this international cooperation, the cultural connotation of the Siheyuan has been more clearly presented to the world, attracting the attention of more international cultural enthusiasts, and opening up a broader path for the future development of the Siheyuan and the neighborhood. In this process, the residents of the Siheyuan have continued to grow and become the guardians of traditional culture and messengers of international cultural exchanges, continuing to write a more glorious chapter for the Siheyuan.

"Siheyuan Storm" As international cooperation is going smoothly, Siheyuan has ushered in a new opportunity for development. An internationally renowned travel magazine heard about the unique charm of Siheyuan and decided to send a group of reporters to conduct in-depth reports to show the local customs and customs of this place to global travel enthusiasts. As soon as the reporters arrived, they were attracted by the charm of Siheyuan. A blonde female reporter said excitedly: "This place is like a hidden gem. The architecture, the culture, it's all so fascinating." Xiao Ming, as a receptionist, smiled and responded: "Thank you. We have a long history and unique traditions here." The reporters shuttled through the Siheyuan, and they were full of curiosity about every corner. While photographing the main house, a reporter became interested in the wood carvings on the beams and asked Lao Zhang, “These carvings are so exquisite. What do they represent?” Lao Zhang proudly replied, “These are traditional Chinese auspicious patterns. They carry our good wishes for life, like happiness, health and prosperity.” The reporters listened and took notes. They also interviewed many residents and asked about the changes in life in the courtyard. An old reporter found Lao Li and asked, "How has life in the courtyard changed over the years?" Lao Li fell into memories: "In the past, life was simple. Neighbors helped each other closely. Now, with more and more tourists, it's more lively. But the bond between us neighbors remains strong." As the report went deeper, the reporter team expressed the hope to film a traditional wedding in the courtyard because they heard that this kind of wedding has a strong cultural heritage. After discussion, the residents decided to meet this request and everyone actively participated in the preparations for the wedding. A resident in charge of preparing the wedding said, "We need to make sure everything is authentic. The wedding dress, the ceremony, all should follow the old traditions." On the wedding day, the courtyard was decorated with lights and was very lively. The bride and groom wore traditional Chinese wedding attire, including phoenix crowns, long robes and jackets, which were particularly dazzling. Foreign journalists kept taking pictures and were amazed at every step. A reporter asked Lao Wang, who was presiding over the wedding: "What's the meaning of this ritual?" Lao Wang smiled and explained: "This is the bowing ceremony. The couple bows to heaven and earth, to their parents, and to each other, showing respect and gratitude. It's an important part of our traditional wedding." After the wedding, the foreign journalists were reluctant to leave. After this in-depth report was published in a travel magazine, Siheyuan caused a huge sensation in the international tourism industry. Tourists from all over the world planned to come, and the booking information for Siheyuan was full. However, the influx of a large number of tourists also brought new pressure to Siheyuan. The demand for accommodation by tourists increased, and the existing reception capacity was far from enough. So, someone suggested that some new homestays could be built near the courtyard in the style of the courtyard. This proposal sparked a discussion. A resident said worriedly: "But will these new buildings affect the overall atmosphere of the area? " Xiao Ming thought for a while and said: "We can make sure the new buildings are designed in harmony with the existing courtyard. We can also use traditional construction materials and techniques. " After many demonstrations and planning, the new homestay began to be built. During the construction process, residents always supervised to ensure that every detail met the requirements of traditional culture. At the same time, in order to enhance the experience of tourists, the courtyard and the homestay also jointly developed some special tourism projects, such as traditional farming experience and folk handicraft production courses. After the new homestay was built, tourists had more choices. A tourist from Australia said to the owner of the B&B after checking in: "I love this place. It's like living in history, but with modern comfort." With the continuous development of Siheyuan and its surrounding areas, the balance between cultural heritage and commercial development is becoming more and more important. Residents are well aware that only by protecting the traditional cultural foundation and carrying out reasonable development can Siheyuan continue to shine in the tide of the times and become a shining pearl connecting the past and the present, China and the world.