In this episode, I travel to Keqiao, an ancient water town in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, where history stretches back more than 1,700 years. But beneath the canals, stone bridges, and historic buildings lies a much deeper story—one written millions of years ago. I sit down with Fang Lei (Florence), the co-founder of the Pangu Fossil Museum, to talk about how a personal passion for fossils unexpectedly turned into a museum with more than 3,000 ancient specimens.

Florence and her husband never planned to build a museum. They were interior designers from Hong Kong who simply loved collecting fossils. But when they discovered the perfect historic building in Keqiao, their private collection became something bigger—a place for education, curiosity, and wonder. We talk about how fossils change the way we see our place in history, why she curates the museum differently from traditional institutions, and how the project eventually led to Shaoxing’s first museum-themed homestay for visiting scientists and travelers.

Episode Highlights

[00:00] – Introducing Keqiao, an ancient water town where a story millions of years old lies beneath the ground.

[02:02] – How the Pangu Fossil Museum began and why Florence and her husband chose to share their private fossil collection with the public.

[06:23] – The unexpected beginning: a fossil discovered during a design project in Shanghai sparks a lifelong passion.

[07:23] – Finding the perfect Jiangnan-style historic building and transforming it into a museum in Keqiao.

[09:19] – Why standing in front of ancient fossils reminds us how small humans are in the timeline of Earth.

[10:54] – Florence explains how she curates fossils differently—treating them as both scientific artifacts and works of natural beauty.

[11:52] – Teaching students that dinosaurs once lived right beneath Zhejiang’s soil.

[14:15] – Scientists begin visiting the museum, inspiring the creation of Shaoxing’s first museum-themed homestay.

[16:50] – Florence shares her philosophy on following intuition and learning new skills along the way.

[18:30] – Closing reflection: why preserving fossils helps us understand the deeper story of life on Earth.

Links and Resources

This episode is sponsored by China Eastern Airlines, who supported my travel for this journey. You can learn more about their routes and destinations at us.ceair.com.

Interested in visiting this homestay? You can find them on Trip.com

https://www.trip.com/w/YPUkzsE7aT2

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Instagram: @AmeliaOldOfficial

Website: https://AmeliaOld.com

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In this episode, I take you to Shaoxing, a historic city in China’s Zhejiang Province where an ancient tradition continues to shape daily life. Known for producing Shaoxing yellow rice wine, this region has been crafting its signature brew for thousands of years using the same natural elements—local water, climate, and air—that make its flavor impossible to replicate anywhere else. But this story isn’t just about wine; it’s about culture, heritage, and the people working to keep traditions alive.

I sit down with Zhu Qingli, the founder of a unique homestay dedicated entirely to Shaoxing wine culture. He shares how guests can experience the full journey—from learning the craft to brewing their own jar of wine—and why preserving this centuries-old tradition matters so deeply to him. Along the way, we explore the philosophy behind traditional craftsmanship, the meaning of cultural preservation, and what it truly takes to dedicate your life to something you love.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] – In Shaoxing, guests experience something far beyond a typical visit. Travelers learn the ancient process of brewing yellow rice wine and leave with a small clay jar containing the wine they helped create—often sealed with personal wishes or blessings.

[1:05] – Shaoxing’s reputation for yellow rice wine comes from a rare combination of natural elements. The local water from Jianhu Lake, the climate, and even the microorganisms in the air all contribute to a flavor that cannot easily be recreated anywhere else.

[3:00] – Huangjiu, often translated as “yellow rice wine,” is introduced along with its brewing process. Unlike grape wine, it’s brewed more like beer using glutinous rice, creating complex flavors that can be sweet, nutty, earthy, or savory.

[6:50] – Zhu Qingli shares the story behind his homestay, a cultural space designed to help visitors—especially international travelers—understand the history, craftsmanship, and cultural importance of Shaoxing wine.

[9:34] – The fascinating Kaiba stage of brewing reveals how the winemaker’s personality can influence the final taste. Patience, instinct, and attention during fermentation leave subtle marks on every batch.

[11:19] – Guests at the homestay experience the entire journey of the craft: observing traditional methods, learning the history behind the process, tasting the wine, and eventually brewing their own jar.

[12:43] – Zhu discusses his book Searching for the Taste of Shaoxing, which explores the city’s culinary traditions, cultural customs, and hospitality practices—including the ceremonial ten-course meal served to honored guests.

[14:43] – A meaningful ritual allows visitors to take home the jar of wine they created. Many choose to write messages or blessings inside before sealing the jar, turning the experience into a personal memory.

[15:45] – One memorable guest arrived from Beijing knowing very little about Shaoxing wine but left deeply inspired. The experience sparked a friendship with Zhu and eventually led the visitor to help promote Shaoxing wine culture.

[18:07] – Zhu reflects on the belief that passion and dedication give meaning to difficult work. Even without large financial rewards, preserving this tradition remains a life choice he feels proud of.

Links and Resources:
This episode is sponsored by China Eastern Airlines, who supported my travel for this journey. You can learn more about their routes and destinations at us.ceair.com.

Interested in visiting this homestay? You can find them on Trip.com https://www.trip.com/w/k4gak3FtPT2

Shen’ao Village sits just outside Hangzhou, in China’s Zhejiang province. This is where Amelia met JoAnn Leung.

JoAnn left city life behind and restored a 240-year-old courtyard house here, turning it into Eight Blessings Inn. It isn’t built around amenities or schedules. It’s built around meals, conversation, and the belief that time spent together still matters.

In this episode, Amelia and JoAnn talk about following a calling later in life, starting over without certainty, and taking responsibility for a place and the people who move through it. JoAnn doesn’t frame her story as reinvention. It’s simply the life she chose—and the one she continues to tend to every day.

Shen’ao isn’t preserved. It’s lived in. Craftsmen open their workshops. Neighbors stop to talk. An ancient drainage system still works beneath the stone paths. The village does what it has always done.

This episode isn’t about travel as escape. It’s about paying attention—to where you are, to the people around you, and to the kind of life you’re building.

🎥 The YouTube version includes photos and video clips from Shen’ao Village and Eight Blessings Inn.

Topics Covered

• Life inside Shen’ao Village, a thousand-year-old working community
• Following a calling later in life
• Restoring a 240-year-old courtyard house
• Building Eight Blessings Inn around meals and conversation
• Responsibility to place and people
• Choosing attention over pace

Keywords

Shen’ao Village, Shenao Village, Hangzhou China, Zhejiang China, Zhejiang Province, Eight Blessings Inn, historic villages in China, slow travel, cultural travel, heritage travel, China bed and breakfast

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If this episode resonated, consider sharing it with someone who values thoughtful travel, meaningful conversation, or stories about choosing a different way to live. Following the show and leaving a review helps these stories reach others.

Sponsor

This episode is sponsored by China Eastern Airlines, who supported Amelia’s travel for this journey.

You can learn more about their routes and destinations at:
https://us.ceair.com/en/

Photos from this journey are shared at @AmeliaOldOfficial, with additional details at AmeliaOld.com