Nestled on a hillside on the outskirts of Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province on the Chinese mainland, lies Kuliang—known as "Guling" in Mandarin. Sitting at an altitude of 998 meters, this serene location has served as a bridge between cultures for over a century.
Since the 1880s, Kuliang became a sanctuary for foreign expatriates living in Fuzhou. They established summer villas, hospitals, tennis courts, and post offices, weaving a rich tapestry of friendship and cooperation with the local residents.
Among those touched by the magic of Kuliang was Milton Gardner, an American physics professor. In 1901, Gardner's parents brought him to Fuzhou, where he spent ten formative years of his childhood. Although the Gardner family returned to the United States in 1911, the memories of the hillside haven remained etched in Milton's heart.
For the rest of his life, Gardner harbored a deep, unfulfilled longing to revisit his childhood home. This yearning was so profound that "Kuliang" was one of the final words he uttered on his deathbed.
However, the exact location of this place remained a mystery to his wife, Elizabeth Gardner, for years. It was not until 1990 that the puzzle was finally solved. Elizabeth discovered 11 stamps preserved by her husband, all bearing the clear postmark "Fuzhou · Kuliang." With the assistance of a Chinese student in the US, she was finally able to identify the place that had meant so much to her husband.
The story of Milton Gardner and Kuliang is more than a personal anecdote; it is a reflection of the enduring human connections that transcend borders and time, symbolizing a legacy of friendship between the people of China and the United States.
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Century-old Kuliang story reflects enduring China-US friendship
cgtn.com
