长江以南小调与云贵高原山歌 Songs from provinces south of the Yangtse River Whereas the great desert skies west of the Great Wall speak of freedom and openness, and the former lands of empire north of the Great Wall evoke images of hardiness and daring, ancient China south of the Yangtze River is a land of many different faces, each offering unexpected delights. There are undulating mountains bathed in misty clouds; broad areas of verdant rice paddies; the powerful and turbulent waters of the Yangtze River; and jade-green lakes. The diversity of scenery in southern China is alluring, fascinating, and breathtaking. This is true not only of the scenery, but also of the music. The Zhejiang-Jiangsu region offers delicate and refined folk melodies. From the mountains of Fujian, steeped in the fragrance of tea, come tea-picking songs. The Yunnan-Guizhou plateau is the source of resplendent mountain songs that echo through the gorges. Some of the folk songs of southern China tell stories, some are romantic, others are fresh and charming, and there is no lack of pieces of a strident or heroic nature. It would be impossible to fully calculate the value of the musical assets from this region, but one thing is certain: Those who lend an ear are never disappointed.