The Nature of Chengdu
The great Chinese city of Chengdu is just that; a city.
成都，一个独树一帜的中国新一线城市。
Images that come to mind when imagining big Eastern cities tend to be perfectly symmetrical grey buildings, air thick with pollution, bustling bodies commuting to and from competitively tall office towers, and a distinct lack of nature; evidence of the Eastern cultural push for rapid urban development and bleak industrial history.
提到东方大都市这个词，首先浮现的是对称性的灰色大楼，厚浊的空气，往返在高楼大厦间的忙碌身影， “久在樊笼里”导致的自然体验缺失……所能想到的一切都来自于快速发展对原有生活文化和自然环境的冲击。
While some of this is true; there are of course an abundance of tower blocks and a general shade of grey, Chengdu appears to have significant differences to the standard expectation. For one, the city's people are seemingly very calm, at ease, with no rush to be anywhere. This gives the city a calm and safe feel that not many others can boast, in contrast to Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Chengdu appears as an oasis in the big relentless desert that is China.
成都也不例外，但钢筋水泥和灰色调之外，我们还能真实感受到这个城市的鲜活和安逸。生活在这里的人们从来不慌不忙，自在悠闲，且并不因此自大，这让人感觉很惬意。快速发展导致很多城市都失去了自己原本的文化和特色，整个中国就像一片枯燥的沙漠，一眼望去满眼黄沙，而和北京、广州、香港等城市相比，成都更像是一片绿洲，令人心旷神怡。
Chengdu also appears to actively encourage nature within its borders, and you’ll find vines intertwined with the busy roads, girls playing with bright yellow leaves in winter, trees lining long streets, cats and dogs, flower baskets, creepers, ponds and parks; nature growing strongand green, holding together concrete districts and the people within them.
除了人文环境，成都市内也有令人愉悦的自然环境。交通干道下交错的藤蔓，初冬与落地黄叶嬉戏的女孩，树木成排的街道，窜行的猫狗，花篮、爬虫、池塘、公园……绿化建设越来越贴心，渐渐成为市民和自然的连接纽带。
I read an article recently implying that the presence of humans on earth and the development of urban environments has made nature an unwelcome intruder and a constant threat to our increasingly clinical and functionally 'clean' way of life. I do not believe this to be true, within the boundaries of Chengdu at least. Here are some examples of the thriving nature in Chengdu's natural and man-made habitats.
我最近读到一篇文章，讲的是人类发展和自然环境的关系，该文暗示了原生自然环境和人文建筑格局对人类生存和城市建设发展的负面影响，以及对日益增加的临床医学和多功能“整洁”生活方式的不断威胁。这篇文章对我毫无说服力，至少就成都而言，的确荒谬。因为不论是自然环境还是人工栖息地，成都都充满了生机，正在蓬勃发展。
关于作者
My name is AmyDunstall. I am a 23-year-old photographer and creative designer from the UK. I have moved to China to pursue my goal of working in the creative industry internationally, to improve my ability to find work in graphic design in future, to build my skillset and connections, and most importantly, to meet people, tell stories and connect China with Western countries, and do my bit in developing an open and free world. I am from Wales; a country known for its sheep and rainy weather. In Wales we proudly use the colour red as our national colour, similarly to how China use it for good luck. Wales has its own beautiful language and some amazing scenery.
我的全名是Amy Dunstall，今年23岁，是一名来自英国的摄影师和创意设计师。来中国后，我努力实现从事国际性创意行业的目标，以提高将来在平面设计工作中的能力、提升技能、建立人脉关系，最重要的是遇见他人、分享故事和进行中西方的交流，在自由开放的新天地里去冒险和体验。威尔士，我的家乡，一个以绵羊和多雨的天气著称的国家，我们自豪地将红色作为民族色彩，这跟中国用红色代表吉利和好运很像。此外，威尔士还有优美的本土语言和瑰丽的风景。
I lived in the Brecon Beacons for a short time; an area of mountains, rivers, reservoirs, and lots of wildlife. I have since lived in two of the major Welsh cities. Firstly in Swansea, where I studied media studies at college, which included print-journalism, radio, film & animation, graphic design and photography. Then Cardiff, the capitalcity, to go to university and study graphic design. I joined the creative community and met some wonderful friends and Cardiff is where I now consider home. After China I plan to continue my travels to Australia, to find work in design agencies, where I can pursue photography more professionally. I would like to live more permanently in China (maybe even Chengdu) and in Italy, but until then, I am taking life one day at a time, with small goals; a fish tank, try new foods and experiences, say yes to exciting opportunities and just to love and be happy.
我在BreconBeacons短暂住过一段时间，那里环境优美，有山、河流、水库和很多野生生物。我也在威尔士两个大城市住过。先是在Swansea，在那里的学院学习传媒学，这个专业涉及的内容包括新闻出版、广播、电影、动画、平面设计和摄影。后来在首都Cardiff，上大学学习平面设计，那段时间加入了创意社团，结交了很棒的朋友，我至今依然觉得那是我的第二故乡。离开中国后，我旅行的下一站是澳大利亚，想去那边的设计机构找一份工作，更职业化地去做平面设计。我想更长久地在中国（也许更确切地说是成都）和意大利生活，在那之前，我会每天带着小目标去经营生活过好每一天。弄一个鱼缸，吃一些新的食物，尝试新的体验，去把握令人兴奋的机会，简单地爱，做一个快乐的女子……
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