High above Fuzhou in Fujian Province, on the Chinese mainland, lies Kuliang—known in Mandarin as Guling—a hillside retreat at 998 meters that has quietly forged U.S.-China friendships for more than a century.
It all started in the 1880s, when foreign expatriates built summer villas among the pine forests. Over time, Kuliang became a melting pot where Western guests and local villagers shared tea, stories, and festivals, creating the first “Kuliang stories.”
Nearly a century later, Milton Gardner—who had spent nine childhood summers in these villas—returned with his wife in 1992. Thanks to help from the Chinese government, they rediscovered the hillside community that shaped his youth.
Today, Kuliang’s legacy continues through the 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival. Launched on July 10 in Fuzhou, the “Singing for Peace” festival draws over 1,000 young participants from nearly 30 youth choirs across the Chinese mainland and the United States.
Under soft stage lights, choirs blend traditional folk melodies with modern classics, turning each song into a bridge of understanding. For many participants, sharing the stage with international peers deepens cultural curiosity and sparks new friendships.
From historic summer villas to a modern choir festival, Kuliang remains a living testament to how melodies can unite youth across borders—one song, one hillside at a time.
Reference(s):
APEC Stories: Kuliang connects young people from China and U.S.
cgtn.com