Delving into the details of Hunan province

A diplomat tries to take a picture of the Changde Poetry Wall in Changde city, Hunan province, December 6, 2016.  [Photo by Meghan Horihan/Chinaculture.org]

"I think this kind of theater should be preserved," Shevchenko said. "I think some kind of puppets originated in China and also in many other countries and then it brought us to the modern theatre."

After checking out these visual performances, and a few testing out the puppets for themselves, we traveled to Chengde to see a written form of art. The Poetry Wall is a 4km stretch of wall etched with pictures and ancient poems.

The wall has a dual purpose, showcasing fine arts in the green space for locals and visitors as well as serving as a flood wall for the nearby river. As we walked along the park taking in this tiny piece of nature, we were still surrounded by the expanding city. However, as the province makes moves to expand, the true beauty is in the detail for Hunan's culture.