The International Artists Village, Chengdu

After spending two days in the Luodai/Longquan area, we returned to Southwest Jiaotong University area and checked into a hotel near the north gate where we had taken a taxi from where the Luodai bus had deposited us.

We decided to walk to the business hotel we usually stayed, near the east gate. As we walked along toward the intersection, a student asked if he could help with our one bag. We politely refused his help and he immediately struck up a conversation. His English was really very good and he was interested to visit with us when he found I was a teacher at the Emei Branch of Jiaoda.

It was he who suggested we stay at a hotel that was just up the street. To be honest, I had seen the flashing neon signs and thought the place was a night club. As it turned out, it was a very nice hotel just a few hundred meters from the north gate.

The hotel was in back of the main row of stores and shops which one saw as one approached the north gate of Jiaoda. It was a beautiful hotel and in such a convenient location.

The inside of the hotel was decked out in Ancient Roman Grotesque with this beautiful statue next to the elevators. It had a very Roman feel to it so I took her picture.

Here Mr. Lucas helps us get checked in to the hotel. His English was great and we really appreciated his efforts in finding us this really convenient hotel.

Saturday, we coordinated with Weiyan and Bogdan to meet them as they got off the bus from Jiaoda. Ms. Weiyan got an old friend to drop by and pick us up to the rendezvous point. He came by around 0915. He was a doctor who had spent many years in Tibet.

We picked up Bogdan and Weiyan at the first Jiaoda bus stop and then for the next two hours we tried to find the International Chengdu Artist Village. As it turned out, it was tucked deep inside a residential area somewhere in Chengdu. We finally found it with much effort from the driver and Weiyan asking directions.


The entrance to the village is well-marked but the location was down a backstreet through the furniture section of Chengdu. No one will ever find this place by accident. It is a true artist village, secluded from the surrounding residential area via a huge tract of land. Very impressive piece of property.

Weiyan called her friend who was waiting for us and she immediately came to fetch us and show us where she lived. She is an artist who spends her time living and painting at the village.

Bogdan checks out some of her works with an eye to modernity.

Sunee found the grasshoppers on the flowers very interesting and appealing.

Here Sunee points out the painting she liked the most. The grasshoppers eyes were very big and realistic.

The artist explains the meaning behind the curious form of the lady floating in the air next to a strange-looking man. Never did quite understand its meaning.

Sunee takes a deeper look at the strange painting of the floating woman. Something to do with feminism or something she said.

Modern art. Not sure what to write about it. Is this Chinese?

Another piece that is supposed to be a view of the vast universe above us. Sunee sees a black hole!

After visiting with Weiyan's friend we take a tour of some of the other artists in the area. Here Sunee checks out a bunch of fish pictures. Yep, these are all fish that are looking directly at you as you gaze into their eyes. Actually, both Sunee and I liked these paintings very much.

More fish paintings. It took some time, but one actually did see the fish starring back and this with little or no effort in using one's imagination. Sunee like them.

This is the map of the Artist Village. The place is huge and well hidden.

More signs advertising the village where different shows have been scheduled throughout the year.

Living and working quarters of the residence. We were told that several Germans were actively supporting the village and its artisans.

Some of the artist residence were very nice with normal entrances to their studios.

We shared lunch with Wieyan's friend and then returned to Jiaoda to catch the 5 PM bus. Weiyan remained behind in Chengdu as Bogdan joined us on the return trip.

It is springtime in Chengdu as shown by the many flowers now blooming on the trees inside the campus area. A great trip and a great ending to another China adventure.