Here is one of only two counties in China where five officially recognized nationalities reside. How did they immigrate and settle here? How have they built their identities? What shared wisdom do they use to survive in the mountains, negotiate with local governments, and compete with one another? Can their houses, clothing, and festival celebrations tell the stories of their histories—and if so, how? 

I have discovered many similarities between Shanghai and Dutch cities through my living experiences in both places. Waterways shape the flat landscapes in both regions, with commerce emerging as a natural progression from polder agriculture. Over time, urbanization has significantly transformed the daily lives of local communities and their relationship with the water. 

Rituals are deeply embedded in rural life across China.
We celebrate life milestones in the family hall, honor our ancestors in the clan hall, and worship local gods in the village temple. During the Spring Festival, dragon lanterns travel through all these sacred and secular spaces. Rather than studying these rituals in isolation, I explore their interconnectedness by examining the shared spatial prototypes and the hybrid functions of these ritual practices.