The poetic fruits of success

"Such planting facilities as intelligent greenhouses have shown us the amazing transformation of citrus cultivation from relying on weather conditions to working with knowledge of the weather. The change provides us with rich creative materials for literary creation," says essayist Mai Ge.

During the field trip, the group of literati visited ancient villages, city parks, historic sites, and wetlands, which gave them a glimpse into the transformation of Huangyan's countryside and its achievements in ecological conservation.

Author Feng Qiuzi suggests that fellow writers and poets should approach nature with reverence and seek to connect with it by returning to their hometown or exploring the countryside.

"We should rely on our instinctual senses to listen, understand, and appreciate natural sounds. In doing so, we can uncover the secrets of the land and humanity, as well as explore the profound spiritual realm," she says.

Jiang Zi, a winner of the prestigious Lu Xun Literature Award last year, adds that rural areas serve as a crucial point for every Chinese writer to ponder upon the world.

"Today, with a global outlook in mind, the modernization of China's countryside and rural lifestyle will present new prospects for our literary creations themed on rural areas," he says.

Along with the aforementioned event, Huangyan will host a series of events, including a contemporary poetry art exhibition, poetry concerts, reader meet-and-greets and literary lover salons, in the following month.