A child-led introduction to Chan’gou in Yunnan Province, China, suitable to support study of a location in Asia at KS3.
The video
A child-led introduction to Chan’gou in Yunnan Province, China.
He Ruiqin lives in a remote mountain village about three hours from the ancient city of Lijiang.
Her parents are subsistence farmers, making a living from the crops of wheat, potatoes and barley grown on the steep terrace slopes surrounding their house.
During term time Ruiqin and her friends all board at school because the journey is too long to travel everyday and their parents work so hard and spend long hours in the fields tending their crops.
The area is famous for its fast-running rivers and deep gorges. Local people travel across the rivers by boat so that they can trade their produce.
At home with her family she helps in the fields and spends time with her baby sister. They grow their own food and love to eat the traditional spicy food associated with this region of China.
This clip was originally broadcast as part of the series In My Shoes.
Teacher Notes
Can be used during a module on China or rural issues.
Students could be asked to note down any aspect of He Ruigin’s life that is similar or different to their own.
They could also be asked to take notes on aspects of farming in this rural, mountainous part of China, such as self-sufficiency and terracing.
Finally, students could be asked to suggest the pros and cons of living in such a remote area in comparison to life in the bigger cities in China.
Curriculum Notes
This clip will be relevant for teaching Geography at Key Stage 3 in England and Northern Ireland, KS3 in Wales and 3rd Level in Scotland. The National Curriculum at KS3 requires the study of a location in Asia, 'including China'.
More from Life in China:
Life in China - Lijiang. video
A child-led introduction to Lijiang in Yunnan Province, China.
Life in China - Sandouping. video
A child-led introduction to Sandouping in Hubei province, China.
Life in China - Shanghai. video
A child-led introduction to the city of Shanghai in China.
Life in China - Yangshuo. video
A child-led introduction to Yangshuo in Guangxi Province, China.
Life in China - Xingping. video
A child-led tour of Xingping in Guangxi Province in China.
