Tucked behind the towering mountains, at the intersection of the Yangtze River, lies the Long Jin Stream. My breath is taken away by the sheer magnitude of the landscape. Singapore's MacRitchie Reservoir holds no candle to the beauty of the Long Jin Stream.

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With glistening crystal-clear waters and emerald green trees, it was like stepping into a fairytale. I have never seen waters so blue and clear that one’s reflection can be seen in it. There was not a single piece of litter in the stream and it seemed almost unreal.

 

Adding to the experience is the peacefulness and the serenity of the place. The cool breeze, the gentle flowing sound of the water and the smell of fresh air are enough to calm even the most troubled of minds.

 

Along the stream, there are demonstrations of what life was like for the Tujia ethnic minority, the descendants of the ancient Ba people. One can see men and women dancing and singing in traditional costumes. Flashing amicable smiles and interacting with the tourists, it was almost as though I was a part of a theatre production.

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Merry laughter from a crowd drew my attention to a folk performance of a traditional yet unconventional method of marriage. An eligible maiden threw a red silk ball to a man in the audience, and he was then invited to take part in the performance. This recreated the idea of how women choose their partners in the past.

 

It was so interesting to see so much history and culture in one place, and for the chance to soak in it, I am truly grateful.