Along the banks of the Yangtze - E5/6 - Leisure in China

China is one of the largest world powers but we can hardly put a face on it yet. Let alone have any idea of how the average Chinese man lives and works, or what his ambitions or fears are. Photographer Ruben Terlou took his camera along the banks of the River Yangtze, talking to the locals about the impact of the economic progress. In a six-episode series, we are taken from Shanghai, the most westernized part of China, to Shangri-La, the most authentic Chinese part, to discover the real China, 40 years after Mao's death. Episode 5 - Leisure in China Leisure in China is a public and massive thing. Whether it's Mahjong tournaments, acrobatics or street dance, everything happens in the central squares in the cities, and preferably with lots of people at the same time. For a talent to risk the leap from the city square to a professional career in the entertainment industry is not all that easy in China. It's a step that requires a great deal of sacrifice. Competition is keen and success is definitely not guaranteed. Ruben dives into the world of acrobatics, where young talents are submitted to a strict training regime, far away from their parents. He meets dancer Bi Gang, who teaches dance to thousands of people in the main square in Chongqing every week, and he visits the Dwarf Empire amusement park, which is run by little people who, in regular Chinese society, did not have any chance of living a normal life, and have created their own community in the park. © VPRO / De Haaien 2016 This channel offers some of the best travel series from the Dutch broadcaster VPRO. Our series explore cultures from all over the world. VPRO storytellers have lived abroad for years with an open mind and endless curiosity, allowing them to become one with their new country. Thanks to these qualities, they are the perfect guides to let you experience a place and culture through the eyes of a local. Uncovering the soul of a country, through an intrinsic and honest connection, is what VPRO and its presenters do best. So subscribe to our channel and we will be delighted to share our adventures with you! more information at www.vprobroadcast.com Visit additional youtube channels bij vpro broadcast: vpro Broadcast:    / @vprobroadcast   vpro Metropolis:    / @metropolishuman   vpro Documentary:    / @vprodocumentary   vpro Extra:    / @vproextra3443   vpro VG (world music):    / @vrijegeluiden   vpro 3voor12 (alternative music):    / @3voor12   vpro 3voor12 extra (music stories):    / @3v12radio   Final editing, direction and sound recording Maaik Krijgsman Presentation and Photograpy Ruben Terlou Camera Joost van Herwijnen Editing Pelle Asselbergs Research Sasha Ourikh, Yu Ma, Ruben Terlou Production Nina Huisman Sound Mix Joost Oskamp Colour grading Gerhard van der Beek Leader and graphics Tiepes Production VPRO Nicole Frints Editor-in-chief VPRO Karen de Bok Producer Wilko Brandsma, Paul Beek, Lesley Dong, Freya Tian This program is made possible by WWF – World Wide Fund for Nature English, French and Spanish subtitles by Ericsson and co-funded by the European Union.