STORY: An American's love for ancient tree-enveloped Shudao in China's Sichuan
SHOOTING TIME: March 20, 2024
DATELINE: March 21, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:28
LOCATION: CHENGDU, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Shudao in China's Sichuan Province
2. STANDUP 1 (English): LI CHENXI, Xinhua correspondent
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HOPE JUSTMAN, American tourist
4. various of Shudao in China's Sichuan Province
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): HOPE JUSTMAN, American tourist
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): HOPE JUSTMAN, American Tourist
7. STANDUP 2 (English): LI CHENXI, Xinhua correspondent

STORYLINE:

STANDUP 1 (English): LI CHENXI, Xinhua correspondent
"Right now, we are in Jiange County in Guangyuan City of southwest China's Sichuan Province. And today we have a special guest. She is from the United States and she has been to 'Shudao,' or roads of the Shu Kingdom, which has a history of more than two millennia, for 24 times. And today, let's hike with her."

Hope Justman, 81 years old, went on her 24th trip to Shudao with her friends.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HOPE JUSTMAN, American tourist
"(Why is the Shudao so captivating for you?)
It's just so beautiful and so old. That's it. Nowhere else in the world could you see this. It's only here. So I have to come back if I want to see it."

Spanning over 1,000 km, Shudao connects present-day Sichuan Province with the northern Guanzhong Plain, once the heartland of ancient China.

Justman's connection with Shudao began in the 1990s when she first journeyed along the ancient road.

For so many years, what has attracted her is not only the road itself, but also the numerous cypress trees along the road.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): HOPE JUSTMAN, American Tourist
"The Chinese love old trees, even in cities. Any old tree is well preserved. I did not realize that records were kept of the trees and handed down to the next generation. And they were responsible. And if one of the trees died, it would be their responsibility. But I didn't realize that records were kept so diligently until today."

Since the Qin Dynasty (221-207 B.C.), people living along Shudao have planted and protected cypress trees, creating a tradition that continues to this day.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): HOPE JUSTMAN, American Tourist
"(As I know in Sichuan, these trees are well protected.)
Yes.
(And every one of them even got their ID card.)
Right.
(When you pass some trees, there are QR codes.)
Go ahead and scan it.
(It's got all the information.)
Yeah, it's got all the information.
It does it real quick and it has the number too.
So you know this is 706.
(This is the identity card.)
Yes."

In 2015, Justman planted a sapling in the Cuiyunlang section of Shudao. This year, she planted another two with her friends and made a promise to come back again next year.

STANDUP 2 (English): LI CHENXI, Xinhua correspondent
"Justman is planting trees here in Shudao Cuiyunlang section. She once said the trees are like part of her. She left part of her in China, and in Sichuan, in Shudao."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Chengdu, China.
(XHTV)