What do you think of Hangzhou? It is the collision of classical design and modern elements, theintegration of landscape and technology, and the interweaving of pragmatism and romance. These seemingly contradictory and natural urban characteristics enable Hangzhou to present infinite charm, and attract excellent talents from all walks of life, to create the beauty and future of the city, and form the unique "Faces of Hangzhou" .

Faces of Hangzhou makes us walk into Tsai Chih Chung' s art world to experience his persistent life pursuit.

At the end of March, the spring scenery is bright and colorful at Xixi Wetland. Xixi Tsai Chih Chung Art Museum, a Xanadu, is hidden here.

On the second floor of the museum, we see this comic artist who looks a bit weird. He wears a black top hat on his long gray and shaggy hair. During the conversation, he speaks Mandarin with a Taiwanese accent, and has quick thinking ability, just like an "old urchin" .

Hangzhou is a place where I want to stay for life

“When I first came to Hangzhou on April 27, 2009, on the plane, I saw a city full of green, which surprised me. The climate was also very similar toTaipei.”At first glance, Tsai Chih Chung was impressed by Hangzhou. After understanding Hangzhou's cultural deposits, he chose to settle in a place where Su Dongpo and Bai Juyi lived.

In the past 16 years, Tsai Chih Chung has been "hiding" at Xixi Wetland. There are 365 days in a year, and he lives here for 360 days.

The ratio of trees to people at Xixi Wetland is 1,000:1. Tsai Chih Chung said that, when he just arrived here, he had the symptoms of oxygen intoxication, such as sleeplessness. Staying here makes it difficult for people to find him, which allows him to focus on artistic creation without being disturbed.

Tsai Chih Chung draws creative inspiration from Xixi Wetland, to maintain the curiosity for the dialogue with nature. "I observe birds, like egrets, and they can keep their legs submerged at 30 cm below the water surface and stand still for more than 30 minutes to catch fish," he said.

When Tsai Chih Chung talks about his observation at Xixi Wetland, he believes that the person to perform creation must walk into nature and life, and cannot be an armchair critic, and the vast Xixi Wetland is the source of his creative energy.

Water Margin has a deep connection with Hangzhou and Xixi Wetland. The geographical names, cultural dialects and local customs in the book have relevant elements. Tsai Chih Chung created 108 Generals of Water Margin. This comic manuscriptis one of the most important exhibits at Xixi Tsai Chih Chung Art Museum, while the sculpture of "Wu Song Fighting the Tiger" at the entrance of the art museum also becomes the welcome sign and marking point.

Coincidentally,Tsai Chih Chung tells the reporter that his birthday is on February 2. The World Wetlands Day falls on February 2. There is a predestined relationship between him and Xixi Wetland. He is the spokesperson of Xixi Wetland.

Do what you like, without efforts

"Every day, I go to bed at 16:00, and get up at 20:00. I only sleep for four hours a day. After getting up, I start working right away. I work for more than 10 hours a day. I can draw 600 pictures within one day." Tsai Chih Chung has an unusual work-rest schedule, but he enjoys it.

Where does the creative inspiration come from? "My inspiration comes from three places, including bathtub, toilet, and plane," Tsai Chih Chung said humorously.

Tsai Chih Chung keeps a habit of reading all year round, and he never uses the mobile phone. "All the classics with more than 500 years of history will become my creative materials," he said.

Chuang Tzu, Lao Tseu, The Analects of Confucius, The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, Shih Chi, and other Chinese cultural classics have been made by him into comics. He breaks the high threshold of traditional culture with minimalist lines and humorous narration to enable global readers to easily understand the profound oriental philosophy. His art style forms the unique "Cai's aesthetics".

At present, the comics created by him have been sold all over the world, translated into 26 languages, and published & issued in 61 countries and regions, with a total sales volume of over 60 million copies.

There is nothing left but culture

Tsai Chih Chung has a unique way of viewing the world. He considers that the life goal is not to get diplomas and make money, but to fulfill a life long wish; the achievements can be made through persistent efforts, which is ridiculous and deceptive; the efforts are conducted methodically; people choose what they do best, and then go all out….

He also summarizes three problems that people only need to think about during their lifetime: Who do you want to be? Why? How? At the age of 4, he figured out these three problems when he drew pictures on the blackboard after his father gave him a small blackboard.

"I am going to keep drawing comics as long as I have enough food," he once said.

The noodles restaurantis set up beside Xixi Tsai Chih Chung Art Museum. Its dish names contain the elements of Water Margin. Tsai Chih Chung ordered a bowl of "Lu Zhishen Beef Noodles". He didn't eat a lot of noodles, but he ate all the tea eggs. His simplicity is not only reflected in his daily life, but also embodied in his diet.

During the meal, some people asked Tsai Chih Chung to sign his name and take photos. He agreed to their demands. "I am happy to leave little happiness for my fans, without rejection," he said. In his smiling eyes, we see the kindness of this "old urchin", and he is easy-going and modest.

Tsai Chih Chung's life attitude and creation content are derived from China's excellent traditional culture. In his view, with timepassing by, there is nothing left but culture. He injects his thinking about traditional culture into his works, forming the philosophy of simplicity in life.