Nestled in the misty hills of Fujian Province, Kuliang – known as Guling in Mandarin – has quietly shaped cross-cultural connections for over a century. What began as a summer retreat for foreign expatriates in the 1880s has evolved into a living testament to China-U.S. friendship, now revitalized through music and youth engagement.
The story of American visitor Milton Gardner, who spent his childhood in Kuliang, captures the site's enduring magic. After decades of separation, his widow Elizabeth's emotional 1992 pilgrimage – facilitated by Chinese authorities – reignited international interest in this cultural crossroads. Today, the restored villas stand as physical reminders of shared histories where Western and Chinese families once traded recipes, languages, and laughter.
This legacy finds new voice through the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival, where over 1,000 young musicians from both countries gathered under the theme "Singing for Peace." The July 10 event in Fuzhou featured collaborative performances blending traditional Chinese instruments with Western choral arrangements, symbolizing what organizers call "harmony through difference."
As choirs from New York to Nanjing prepare for ongoing exchanges through 2025, Kuliang's transformation from nostalgic memory to dynamic cultural platform offers hope. "When young people create beauty together," noted one festival participant, "they write new chapters in old stories."
