2018.02.10 Sat, by Translated by: 房小然
Hua Quan Village overlooking Dragon Tiger Mountain

Hua Quan Village is vast—spanning over 41 acres (165,000 square meters)—and relatively remote from China’s established art centers, being roughly halfway between Hong Kong and Shanghai. Established by C. C. Liew (Liu Chia Chang), one of China’s most prominent song writer of the 60s and 70s, Hua Quan Village is intended to be a hub for art creation, exhibitions and art and cultural education. Opened last November in Jiangxi Province, Hua Quan Village overlooks Mount Longhu (龙虎山, or Dragon Tiger Mountain), home of Daoism and a World Heritage site.

Continuing in the ancient Chinese tradition of artist villages—creative and philosophical retreats from normal society—Hua Quan is no minimalist art space. Surrounded by walls decorated with 100 murals by artists from around China and the world (e.g. Super G Team, Tran Nguyen), Hua Quan’s style could best be described as Ballardian-Baroque and in many ways perhaps this could only exist in China, ungoverned by traditional expectations, and combining both idealistic and commercial purposes, aiming to combine a spiritual sanctuary, an education center and a hub for cultural exchange. A wide variety of art, music, culture, and well-being classes allow visitors to engage in the programs that speak to their individualized interests and needs.

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Susan Wang(王瑞华) and Liu Chia Chang(刘家昌)


The story of Hua Quan 

C.C. had the idea of creating Hua Quan a decade ago when visiting Jiangxi. A legendary Chinese musician and movie director, Liu Chia Chang wrote over 2,000 songs and produced over 100 movies, as well teacher and mentor to many prominent singers in the 60s through the 80s. C.C. came to Long Hu Mountain and saw the potential of the surrounding area to inspire creativity and artistic motivation. He wanted to construct a village from ground up to create a community of artists that could not only enjoy the surrounding nature but also create and pursue their crafts there.

As the project gathered momentum, C.C. was joined by Susan Wang, then Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of Formosa Plastics Group, a large petrochemicals company. Susan first visited Hua Quan two years ago. Impressed with the energy of the Hua Quan and the breathtaking beauty of Long Hu Mountain, in 2017 Susan retired from Formosa Plastics to run the commercial side of the village. Susan continues to also be involved in various charities and non-profit organizations in both Taiwan and China focused on improving education for underprivileged children and quality of life for senior citizens.

“The village provides an opportunity for people of all walks of life to create their own personalized journey of creative exploration, reconnecting with a lost passion that reignites the soul!” — C.C. Liew

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Art and Spirit  艺术与精神

Works from renowned artists are displayed throughout the village. There is an International Art Museum and over 100 art galleries with resident artists that live and create their art in the village, such as sculptor Master Chen Wen Wu, one of the top 10 folk artists in China, and Wei Ligang, a renowned artist specializing in modern Chinese calligraphy art. There is a martial art school run by 延武大師, one of the leading Shaolin martial art masters in China, and a Traditional Chinese Medicine center, Longhu Mountain Meridian Institute, run by Dr. Peng, the superintendent, who specializes in meridian, acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

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Facts & Figures
—over 100 galleries, artist studios and shops
—5 museums now and a series of rotating exhibitions
—Add over 100 murals by international artists
—a cultural training center with 21 classrooms
—3 hotels

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How to get there—The closest major city to Hua Quan Village is Yingtan City, which connects with the high-speed rail. From Yingtan to Hua Quan Village is a 30-minute cab ride.

Rail—The easiest way to get to Yingtan City is by high-speed rail either from Nanchang or Shanghai to Yingtan North Station.

Air—Once you arrive at Nanchang Changbei International Airport, the high-speed train is a 35-minute taxi ride from the airport. From Shanghai, the Hongqiao International Airport is the most convenient as it links with the high-speed rail from Hongqiao Railway Station, only 5 minutes from the airport.

Road—Alternatively, the drive from Nanchang directly to Hua Quan Village is about 2 hours.