Harvesting Moments: The Rise of Farmer-Photographers Celebrating the Great Wall

by Xinhua correspondent Yang Qi

SHIJIAZHUANG, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) — Guests at the Jinshanling segment of the Great Wall can scarcely overlook the breathtaking photographs of the UNESCO heritage site displayed along the path leading to the exit. A number of these images are attributed to Duan Jiujun.

Through Duan’s camera, guests can revel in splendid vistas of the Great Wall framed by various scenes, including spring blossoms, floating clouds, winter snow, starry nights, and even double rainbows.

His artistry conveys the impression of a skilled photographer who has regularly visited the site. Nonetheless, Duan, 56, is a resident of Hualougou Village at the base of the Jinshanling Great Wall who set aside his plow and embraced a camera over two decades ago.

Situated approximately 150 kilometers north of Beijing, in Luanping County, Hebei Province, Jinshanling is recognized as one of the most well-preserved segments of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) edifice and offers an ideal location for photography enthusiasts due to its seamless blend with the natural scenery.

In the late 1980s, as tourism started to expand in the vicinity, Duan recognized a chance to generate supplementary income for his family by establishing a rural guesthouse.

In 2003, a photographer named Wang Jianwu resided at Duan’s guesthouse for over a year. Duan was so inspired by Wang’s artistry that he adorned the walls with the photographs.

“With these images and their accompanying narratives, it transformed from an ordinary farmhouse into a space rich with cultural significance,” Duan mentioned.

Before departing, Wang advised Duan, “Keep capturing. The pictures on the walls will soon belong to you.”

Motivated by these words, Duan began with a borrowed camera and swiftly immersed himself in the craft of photography.

With a camera in his possession, Duan’s enthusiasm evolved into a profound passion. Despite skepticism from certain villagers, he invested in superior equipment and dedicated countless hours to mastering photographic techniques.

As his photographic skills advanced, Duan started to attract attention. His images of the Great Wall, often highlighting its breathtaking splendor, began to earn accolades and appealed to more tourists, enabling Duan’s family business to flourish.

However, photography provided Duan with more than just financial rewards. Soon, other photography aficionados sought his mentorship, impressed by his extensive knowledge of the region.

“One day, when a photographer called out ‘Teacher Duan,’ I didn’t realize he was addressing me, and I looked around at the others,” Duan recounted, who is now affiliated with the China Photographers Association and China Great Wall Society.

“It brings me a sense of happiness and fulfillment as well,” he remarked with a warm smile.

Duan’s achievements have motivated others in Hualougou Village. One such individual is Zhou Baoquan, who formerly worked as a truck driver and held various jobs away from his homeland. Following Duan’s example, he returned to initiate a farmhouse and later became a Great Wall photographer.

Since acquiring his first camera in 2011, Zhou has made frequent excursions to the Great Wall whenever possible.

“The Great Wall was our childhood playground,” Zhou stated. “More than a decade since returning, it continues to provide me comfort and inspiration.”

“You can read history within it,” Zhou noted. “After all these years, many details remain, including inscriptions and embellishments on the walls. Thus, the ancient soldiers constructed it not solely for defense; they also expressed their emotions and aspirations for better lives.”

What began as a small collective has evolved into a community of farmer-photographers who have transformed the village into a genuine “photography village,” boasting a photographer association comprising over 50 members.

Once primarily dependent on agriculture, the villagers have now repurposed their homes into guesthouses, accommodating numerous photographers and tourists visiting from across China and the globe.

In 2014, the village established a rural tourism cooperative, dismantling barriers between individual proprietors and enabling them to collectively promote Hualougou.

Hualougou is now home to more than 100 guesthouses, collectively welcoming over 100,000 guests annually. Some of the more popular establishments can generate over 1 million yuan (approximately 139,000 U.S. dollars) in yearly revenue.

This surge in tourism has created jobs for over 700 local residents, assisting the rural community in rising above poverty and entering a new phase of revitalization pursuits. This venture is also underway in many other rural regions since China declared the elimination of extreme poverty in 2021.

The village has suggested that its revitalization should proceed with the preservation of the Great Wall’s culture as a foundation, mentioned Zhou Baoquan.

For these farmers, photography has become an act of conservation. They regard their images not merely as a source of income but also as a means to safeguard the Great Wall’s heritage.

“When tourists visit, they pose many inquiries regarding the Great Wall, so I educate myself about it through books and relay that information to others,” Duan explained.

“I don’t view us merely as photographers. We are custodians and ambassadors of the Great Wall’s culture,” he concluded. ■