Town fairs provide inspiration

The market in Shengtian town, Gaoxian county, is set into a hillside, and the streets of the market are laid out in the shape of a well. No matter how small the town is, there are clothing stores, snack shops, department stores, merchandise stores, hardware stores, hairdressers, hotels, tea houses and clinics. Throughout the region there are many teahouses. Qianwei county's Luocheng town resembles a long boat from above. On both sides of the "boat street" are rows of old tiled houses with wooden structures. The locals drink tea, clear their earwax, smoke leaf cigarettes, sell sticking plasters, whatever the weather. They enjoy the blessings of earthly pleasures.

In southern Sichuan, it is indispensable to deal with locals. The people here are somewhat different from the familiar term that labels Sichuanese as "hot-tempered", "hot pot lovers" and "pleasure seeking". The market by the river boasts convenient transportation, and it is natural that people here are accustomed to the outside world, and they like to open to a mind acquainted with the world.

Known for being extremely straightforward, they also speak fast, do things quickly, neatly and simply, and don't ever drag on. The people here who have lived in the mountains for a long time are a bit shy compared with those living by the river. I wouldn't say they are modest, but they are much more sincere and honest with others. By all means they are tough and can endure hardship.