What does rural China look like nowadays?
Well, the contemporary landscape of rural China is a tapestry of dynamic changes that are not easily captured within the confines of a classroom. To find out the answer to that question, Vicash Kannan, a sophomore economics major from Sri Lanka, transformed his past weekend into an unforgettable experience.
Along with his classmates from the Undergraduate International Program in Economics (UIPE) at School of Economics, Vicash embarked on a two-day trip to Pailou Village in Hangtou Town, Pudong New District.
Learning how to plant Chinese cabbage together
Listening to an introduction to the development of local industries in Pailou Village
Farming demands a high level of coordination and teamwork. During the visit, students tried plowing fields, planting Chinese cabbage and harvesting rice. “It’s my first time doing the rice harvesting, but sharing the experience with my classmates has been a lot of fun,” said Vicash.
Harvesting rice and planting Chinese cabbage
The trip wasn’t just about hands-on farming. Pailou Village, among other three villages to which other students from School of Economics went, exemplifies how rural areas in Shanghai have evolved, blending tradition with up-to-date technology.
A highlight of the visit was a greenhouse featuring tech-driven agriculture. Situated just on the outskirts of Shanghai, Paitou village has transformed 218 acres into a fully digitalized and mechanized vegetable garden. “It’s quite amazing,” Vicash remarked, impressed by the seamless integration of technology in one of the automated tomato farms.
Visiting automated tomato farms
On the first night, the students prepared their own dinner using vegetables freshly harvested by themselves from the farm. Vicash and his clssmates took on the task of cooking Country-style Pot Chicken (in Chinese: 地锅鸡 dìguōjī). With a repertoire of good culinary skills under his belt, Vicash was appointed head chef. “It’s really interesting to learn different people’s recipes. Sharing cooking ideas is also an exchange of cultures,” he said.
Deciding on the ingredients
Cooking Country-style Pot Chicken
Many villages in Shanghai have embraced an “agriculture-plus-tourism” model, attracting urban residents for weekend getaways and holidays. “It was a great opportunity to experience rural China firsthand—and have some fun,” Vicash said. “I’d definitely like to come back with friends!”
Vicash was Rewarded “Honorary Villager”
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Presented by Fudan University Media Center
Writer:WANG Jingyang
Photographer: WANG Jingyang
Editor: WANG Mengqi, LI Yijie
