Life at the heart of a city

Meanwhile, actor Xu also opened his heart to his father during their road trip on the Duku Highway in Xinjiang.

At the foot of snow-capped mountains, the son broached the subject of his father's seeming indifference to his good study performance in primary school, noting that it still rankled with him. His father then began to reflect on his strict parenting methods.

Reviewing the journeys to these cities, the director says he was often moved by the stories and personalities of the people he filmed.

In Xi'an, as the production unit was documenting the daily life of a local craftsman, surnamed Wu, who makes a living by making headwear and hat accessories used in the performance of Qinqiang Opera, Wu drank with several of his opera-loving friends in a small room.

"They were talking in a very impassioned way about their plans to record a craft that is about to disappear, which was so contagious that I almost cried," recalls Xiao.

"At that moment, I was convinced, again, that our vigorous country is composed of individuals who have a strong passion for life, just like Wu," he says.