「Wandering in Gulao」cultural project VOL.2 - Gulao Tea Alcove

"Gulao Tea Alcove", a re-capture and new interpretation for the local living fascination of the original water village, triggering more urbanites to pay attention and go to the Gulao water village.

The OCT Group invited KAI to do the '' Wandering in Gulao'' project for the second season in 2021.


At the end of 2021, Gulao Riverland relaunched new tourism products. We wanted to swiftly grasp the eyes of the public on this project of OCT Gulao and Gulao Riverland area via cultural project.

Therefore, we created an unique afternoon tea than usual, based on the old village of Gulao Riverland, which invited a minority of people to join in and enjoy the fascinating local culture early. Meanwhile, this activity would be a spreading topic before releasing new products of 2021.



In less than 2 months


We were looking for appropriate co-creative guests to join us; going to villagers’ homes to learn each skill; developing rowing skills and observing places on a rainy day; mowing grass in the river to build a temporary wharf; carrying out building materials from boats and to build up an installation during three days ... We broke through these various challenges in the complicated and changing weather in order to launch this afternoon tea party on time, but we enjoyed in this adversity. 



    「Gulao Tea Alcove」arrived on on 4th Step. of 2021 in Sanxingtang village, Gulao Riverland. 

 

Click here to watch this documentary of the 2021 project to learn more about the  experience.

 

We chose the most distinctive "Pier" in Gulao River Town as the venue for this afternoon tea, and invited cutting- edge architect Huang, creative barista Ling, and handmade chocolate master Su as guests of this event. We took this afternoon tea to life with a particular architectural installation, creative coffee, and artisanal chocolate experience.



 Cutting-edge architect Huang zelin 


The design inspiration of Huang


 

Creative barista Ling lianwen


Ling cooked three types of creative coffee


 Handmade chocolate chef Suyang


 The design inspiration of Su


Acrossing the road of the ancient town 

Climbing up the roof 

Cutting down distances to enjoy the alcove that is the regional texture of Gulao 



Mr. Li who writes Chinese calligraphy for neighbours at each festival, wrote down names of guests and wishes for everybody. 




 Local villagers took on a boat to arrive activity location.



Every guest enjoyed tea time under the blue sky and bamboo forest with a gentle breeze.

All activity was divided into 12 parts with local cultures to deliver various charms of Gulao to guests.



Every city has their name that contains unique background stories from creators' feelings for Riverland.


 


Each co-creative guest provided the limited coffee and chocolate of Gulao characteristics and shared their inspiration stories with everyone.


We also built up a rest area to serve the classical tea break to deliver the original living fascination of Gulao; 

Here is a map to provide references for visitors coming here to explore Gulao as an exhibition.


Click here to gain this map


Local villagers with the public who are from different cities were to sit here to enjoy the quiet moments with gentle music and breeze. They freely talked with each other to feel this kind of healing from this land. Until the sunset came, people still did not want to leave this weekend gathering. 



End of this tea party, this architectural installation would be moved out from here to another scenic area, a lawn of Gulao, to meet everyone again.We are expecting the next season, and also we believe in more surprises can be found in Gulao River town. 



KOLs drove here from Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Foshan Etc., to post pictures on social media platforms and invite more people to explore Gulao River town.


30 media institutes actively reported this project news.



Co-creative guests shared feelings.



Co-creative villagers returned positive feedback to us.

 


Special thanks for

Client 

OCT Group of Gulao Riverland


Guests

Huang Zelin, Ling lianwen, Su yang 


 Enthusiastic villagers 

Mr.Li, Mrs.Huang, Mr. Niu and his wife

Mr. Ye, Ethan, Mr.Li, Mrs. Li and Miss Wen