Expats explore China's rural past at Menglou village museum

Expats from Russia, Ghana, South Africa and Venezuela recently explored the rich tapestry of China's rural heritage at the Menglou Village Rural Memory Museum in Shanxian county – located in Heze city in East China's Shandong province.

Established in 2018, the museum covers an area of 260 square meters, housing a diverse collection of artifacts from the 1920s to the 1990s.

Among the exhibits on display are tools used in rural production, including plows, harrows, stone mills, troughs for livestock and water tanks – tangible symbols of the diligent work of Chinese people who created a better life with their own hands.

During their visit, two expats from Russia and Venezuela paused in front of wedding dowry displays, intrigued by the significance of the variously sized boxes.

According to the museum staff, the boxes contained items such as watches, televisions, sewing machines and radios – representing prestigious offerings during that time. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)

Visiting expats examine some bridal dowry items at the museum. [Photo by Wang Xiaolan for chinadaily.com.cn]