The Museum of the Birthplace of Hybrid Rice in Anjiang has seen surging visitor numbers amid the sweltering summer heat. As a key site preserving the research journey of Academician Yuan Longping, the Father of Hybrid Rice, it serves not only as a popular science classroom where parents bring their children to explore knowledge, but also draws tourists from across the country to grasp the profound meaning of dedication through stories of rice.
Stepping into the museum, wild rice specimens in glass display cabinets, yellowed notebooks and rusty farm tools piece together those arduous years. Visitors stop to gaze, captivated and immersed by the exhibits. These silent relics act as keys unlocking history, allowing visitors of all ages and backgrounds to connect with that era through observation.
“Visiting the museum is an incredibly stirring experience. The idea that ‘a seed can change the world’ makes me realize how hard-won food is,” said tourist Liu Yuxuan cheerfully.
Since the start of the summer vacation, the museum has received over 50,000 visitors, with a daily average of more than 1,000. To further enrich visitor experiences, the Anjiang Agricultural Cultural Tourism Zone has elaborately prepared a host of special activities including drama performances, themed exhibition halls and an EDM water-splashing festival, ensuring fun for guests of all age groups.
Qian Lihua, regional manager of Tancheng Landscape Scenic Area Company, told reporters that the summer lineup of dramas, exhibition displays and the EDM water-splashing festival is designed to help visitors relieve stress during the holiday, help visitors of all generations better appreciate the charm of the Anjiang Tourism Resort and experience the rich connotations of rice farming culture.
From the stories of perseverance told by quiet exhibits inside the museum to the vibrant farming culture showcased through special events, the Anjiang Tourism Resort is embedding Academician Yuan Longping’s belief that “a seed can change the world” deep into people’s hearts in its distinctive way.
(Translated by Yang Hong)