Map of Quangdong
Map of Qingxin
Zeng
For the next six years, father Chung Chow lived as an ordinary country boy in the ancestral village of his forefathers. His village was named after the clan's surname literally translated as the "House of Chan". It is situated in an area called Qing Xin in Qing Yuan County which is part of Quangdong Province. According to father Chung Chow, there were about 200 inhabitants in this village then and they all bear the same surname or lineage.
Typical Village in Quangdong
Rural House in Quangdong
Buffalo and Young Boy
Primary School Class
Buffalo used to till the soil and pull the cart
The villagers were mostly peasants working on small plots of farmland, and irking a subsistent living planting rice, tea, bamboo, vegetables, and fruit trees such as longan, oranges and limes. They also reared fresh-water fish in fishponds, and farm animals such as chicken and ducks. Buffaloes were still used to till the soil and pull the carts. They also provided transport and fun for the children to ride on.
Father Chung Chow lived in a typical Chinese traditional brick house with high ceiling and long sweeping tiled roof. At the age of 10, he attended the local school for about two years. He also mentioned that he had a younger sister then but she died very young because of the harsh conditions in China.
Qing Yuan
Qing Yuan County has a sub-tropical climate and experience four seasons in a year. Usually there is no snow in winter but the northern winds can be very strong, cold and dry. Although it's not as cold as the north, the local people wear thick clothing stuffed with cotton to keep warm. Winters are short usually occurring between January and March. Summers fall between July and September with monsoon rains and hot temperatures which can rise to 38°C. Autumns and springs are mild and pleasant with day temperature in the 20°C to 25°C range. Sometimes it can be miserably wet and cold with rain or drizzle. Rainfall averages 76 cm per year.
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