CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- After spiraling up the Nanshan Mountain and passing through a convoluted path in Fangniu Village, you will find Mao Xuegang’s “Kingdom of Succulents”. Recently, the famous actor Li Naiwen's visit to the yard has made it popular among visitors.

Not long ago, Li Naiwen came to the yard to film the program “Homes with Mountains and Rivers” broadcasted by CCTV-1. What makes Li Naiwen amazed is that there are 3,000 pots of succulents in various shapes and of over 300 varieties in the yard. Those are my children, said 46-year-old Mao Xuegang.

Mao Xuegang has been a fan of succulents for ten years. When he visited a friend’s home, he was attracted by the delicate and brightly-colored succulents grown by his friends. Since then, he has started to plant succulents.

The cultivation of succulents was not successful at first. Though succulents are dryness-tolerant, they are vulnerable to sultriness and high temperatures. The soil remaining wet for a long time may destroy the roots of success. “The climate in Chongqing is hostile to succulents.” Mao Xuegang said that his succulents died one after another at first.

Mao Xuegang has made enormous efforts to cultivate these “finicky children”. He turns on fans to cool down the plants whenever the temperatures are high and brings them home whenever it rains. He also regulates soil based on the characteristics of Chongqing’s climate. With ten years of experience, Mao Xuegang has become a master of succulent cultivating and has been called “Brother Maomao who cultivates succulents”.

Since Mao Xuegang was able to keep the succulents alive, he has aimed to cultivate beautiful-looking succulents, studying succulents in different shapes. Some of his succulents look like a princess’s dress, some look like a prince’s hair, and some look like a girl’s scarf.

He has tried to create a kingdom of succulents since four years ago. He was working in a state-owned enterprise at that time. When he visited Fangniu Village by chance, he was surprised by the beautiful environment and convenient transport of Fangniu Village. Breathing fresh air, he made a brave decision to depart his job and move into Fangniu Village.

“I have dreamed of owning a yard filled with my favorite plants since I was a child,” said Mao Xuegang. He was quite satisfied with the 1,000-square-meter yard he rented. His parents, wife, children, cats, and more than 3,000 pots of succulents are the owners of this place.

His wife Chen Mingjia takes care of the succulents with him. Mao is responsible for deinsectization while his wife is in charge of pruning. They spend almost one day with these lovely plants. The abundant light and the perfect difference in temperature between night and day on Nanshan Mountain make the plants full of vigor. Decorated by a wide variety of plants, the yard of Mao Xuegang looks like a world of fairy tales.

Coincidentally, on the first day of moving into the village, Mao Xuegang's youngest son was born. Now the four-year-old boy helps his father take care of the plants. He often reminds visitors not to hurt the succulents. The yeard has won the title of “The Most Beautiful Yard in Chongqing” for two consecutive years. The fairy tale will continue in the village... (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)