Mountain town keeps French romance alive

CHENGDU — Like stepping into a quaint French vignette, visitors are greeted by sun-drenched redbrick walls, pastel-hued facades, arched windows and steep mansard roofs, a scene evocative of a quiet bourg in the French countryside.

Yet, this landscape lies not in provincial France, but in Bailu, a mountain town less than two hours' drive from Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province.

French influence first took root here during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), when missionaries arrived and built churches, schools and other facilities.

More than a century later, the town's unique legacy of Sino-French cultural exchange endures, a heritage that weathered the devastating 2008 earthquake and now serves as a bedrock of its revival, symbolizing cross-cultural ties between the two countries.

In 2008, the Wenchuan earthquake reduced much of the town to rubble, but swift reconstruction efforts laid the groundwork for a revival centered on its distinct cultural identity.

"The post-quake reconstruction plan prioritized leveraging Bailu's cultural heritage and historical sites to boost tourism," says Liang Xiao, Party chief of Bailu.

Today, Bailu stands as a national 4A-level scenic spot and a vibrant hub of Sino-French cultural exchanges, especially through music.

On Sept 25, the Bailu Sino-French Classical Music Festival opened its 13th edition, launching three months of musical events featuring performances by renowned artists from both countries. Through music, the festival harmonizes with the symphony of Sino-French ties, striking a resonant chord.

"We gather here out of a shared love for music," said Pierre Reach, a French pianist now in his eighth appearance, at the festival. "The festival is truly unique. Our goal is to bring richer and more diverse French music to audiences here."

Vinciane Beranger, a visitor from France, was captivated by the town's French-infused charm and immersive musical atmosphere. "This small town brims with character," she said. "It offered a delightful way to experience China."

In 2018, Pengzhou city, where the town is located, formalized a sister-city partnership with France's Seine-et-Marne and has since fostered active exchanges and collaboration in the fields of economy, trade, tourism and education.

To date, China and France have established 114 pairs of sister provinces and cities. Stories like that of Bailu continue to unfold, as people-to-people ties endure and deepen.

Liu Jiecheng, an associate researcher at Peking University's Institute for Cultural Industries, says that the Bailu music festival has already established itself as a signature cultural IP in western China. The next strategic focus, he notes, should be expanding the industry chain with music as the core, encompassing creation, education, leisure and digital content development.

"By cultivating a multidimensional ecosystem," Liu says, "the town can sustain and amplify its 'French romance' cultural identity."

And in doing so, this small mountain town mirrors a broader trend of enduring and deepening Sino-French exchanges, Liu says.