Inspiration from above

 

(Voiceover)

00:04 The city of Kunming is located in southwestern China. Back in the winter of 1985, people were surprised to discover red-beaked seagulls were flying into this beautiful city. Over the next 30 years, these mysterious birds visited every winter. Their population grew steadily over the years. Today, red-beaked seagulls are a famous fixture of Kunming's winter.  

 

00:34 Mao Xuhui is a painter. In his eyes, the most amazing thing about these birds is their majestic poise, which is carried by just two small wings. When Mao lost his way in the 80s, the red-beaked seagulls sparked a sense of awe in him. The comfort that these birds brought are preserved in his pictures and poetry.

 

(Interview)

Mao Xuhui - Artist

01:02 "In 1985, I wrote to Zhang Xiaogang. He's a painter in Yunnan. I told him of these unique birds that come to Kunming, and how they brought energy and passion to this dull city. I told him these red-beaked seagulls had arrived in Kunming in 1985. Thirty years have passed. And now I feel they've become a part of our lives. If ever these birds didn't arrive on time, I'd probably wonder if something has happened to them."

 

(Voiceover)    

01:28 Mao Xuhui isn't the only one who loves these seagulls. The entire city of Kunming adores them too. The locals say these birds are the region's most famous visitors.

     

01:44 So what are the red-beaked seagulls anyway? These birds are widely found in parts of Eurasia. Over the past thousands of years, they've made their way across the northern hemisphere - keeping in line with human migration. Their body and feathers are similar to the dove. The bird is about 37 - 43 centimeters long. The mouth and feet are both red.

 

02:14 The red-beaked seagulls love Kunming's Cuihu Lake. This is their favourite place. Every winter, many locals and tourists come to Cuihu Lake to feed the birds and watch them soar. Given the seagulls' friendly nature, many people enjoy playing with these lovely white creatures. Kunming has changed drastically since the 1980s. But despite all the things that have happened in the city, the relationship between Kunming and these birds is a cherished one. You could say the red-beaked seagull is carved in the culture of Kunming.