'Calabash grandpa' cuts down viral gourds to reclaim quiet life

An elderly man known as "calabash grandpa" for growing seven gourds on his riverside balcony has cut them down, choosing the quiet of his home over the attention that turned his small courtyard into a tourist hotspot.

Chen Jin'ao, 75, and his wife Shen Hualing from Shaoxing, Zhejiang province used long-handled scissors to carefully clip the seven hanging gourds from their vines on Saturday evening, just days after the scene captured the hearts of millions online.

The scene that went viral was an uncanny echo of a childhood classic. The seven round gourds dangling from a wooden trellis looked so much like the magical gourds from the beloved Chinese animated series Calabash Brothers.

Chen, with his white hair and gentle demeanor, became the real-life "calabash grandpa", and visitors from across the country came to call out "grandpa" from the opposite riverbank, hoping to catch a glimpse of the "seven brothers" and their caretaker.

The association with the cartoon brought unexpected joy to the elderly couple. Chen and his wife lost their only daughter 25 years ago and had since lived a largely closed-off life. The sudden flood of visitors, who greeted them as their own grandparents, opened their hearts again.

The decision to cut down the "calabash brothers" came abruptly. Chen had previously stated the gourds would remain until the Frost's Descent solar term, hoping to let visitors enjoy them for another month. However, the influx of tourists — which surged significantly on the first weekend following his viral fame — became overwhelming.

Chen told Shaoxing local media Yueniu News that his wife suffered a bout of dizziness due to health issues and that the massive crowds raised safety concerns for the tourists, as their old house sits beside water with narrow surrounding lanes.

In response to the removal, the Shaoxing culture and tourism bureau released a statement asking the public to return peace to the couple. "We will give the quietness and daily life back to the elderly couple and wish them health and peace," the bureau said.

While some tourists expressed disappointment at missing the chance to see the viral scene, many expressed understanding and support for the couple's decision to prioritize their well-being.