Shaping Scenery with Literature: Hezheng Songmingyan in the Implication
of "Huaer"

Here, "Huaer" refer not to botanical flowers, but to a type of beautiful folk song prevalent among various ethnic groups in the northwest region of China, such as the Han, Hui, Dongxiang, Bao'an, Sala, Tu, Tibetan, and Yugur peoples, with love as its main theme. As described by a "Huaer" scholar, it represents the heartfelt emotions that flow from the people living on this land, like water that nourishes every aspect of their lives. It is a song of the fields, pure and simple, always exuding the fragrance of the earth. It is a song of life, releasing the inherent human pursuit of the rural people. Furthermore, it is a regional art form that permeates the entire northwest of China, dancing with the mountain breeze and resonating with the flowing water.

The meaning of "Huaer" is profound and also rich and colorful. It encompasses the poignant and desolate sound of the ancient Qiang flute, the literary eleganceed from the metaphors in the Book of Songs, the essence of the landscapes with their clouds, wind, frost, snow, and rain. It is the ethereal melody that floats among the mountains and rivers of the northwest. "Huaer" represents the smile of life, the ripple of spirit, the vegetation and home of the soul. It is the indelible nostalgia deep in memory. It embodies a way of life and a state of being for the people of the northwest.

Within the profound and colorful essence of "Huaer", there is a well-known and frequently mentioned place called Songmingyan, located in Hezheng County, Gansu Province. It is a national-level forest park and a AAAA-rated tourist attraction. Here, mountains are stacked with greenery, peaks reach into the clouds, ancient pines tower skyward, and tree-lined paths provide shade. Throughout the stone cliffs, ancient temples and pavilions stand suspended, while numerous pavilions, bridges, and arches adorn the landscape. The sound of bells and drums can be heard resonating through the mountains and waters. Mist envelops the area throughout the seasons, with flowing water murmuring all year round, creating a tranquil and elegant ambiance. The valley is filled with lush vegetation, accompanied by the harmonious melodies of birds and the clear, rushing river. When the mountain wind blows, the sound of the pine forest resonates, resembling the roar of a waterfall or the thunderous galloping of horses. It echoes like a sudden rain shower or the beating of a drum, earning the name "Songmingyan" ("The Resounding Pine Cliff.") Songmingyan is the cradle, reliance, and continuation for "Huaer", while "Huaer" is the crown, expression, and soul of Songmingyan.

"Huaer" is a precious intangible cultural heritage, and the "Huaer" of Songmingyan has had a significant influence in the Northwest region and even throughout the country. From 2001 to 2003, UNESCO conducted three special inspections in Hexi, including a specific focus on the "Huaer" of Songmingyan. In 2004, the Chinese Folk Literature and Art Association named Linxia Prefecture and Min County as the "Hometown of Chinese Huaer songs." In August 2004, Huzheng County, where Songmingyan is located, was designated as the "Heritage Transmission Base for Chinese Huaer Songs" by the Chinese Folk Literature and Art Association. In May 2006, "Huaer" was approved to be included in the first batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage list. In July 2006, the "Huaer" Cultural Professional Committee of the Chinese Folk Literature and Art Association was established in Linxia Prefecture. In September 2009, "Gansu Huaer" were included in UNESCO's "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity." In such a broad perspective, both Songmingyan and the "Huaer" of Songmingyan hold special significance. They have become an ideal destination for domestic and international experts and scholars to conduct field research, investigations, academic seminars, and collect original ecological "Huaer". It is also an important base for the protection andance of precious oral and intangible cultural heritage and a cradle for nurturing excellent "Huaer" singers.