Part 9/12:
Chapel laments that most traditional Chinese cultural sites and performances are no longer accessible within China itself. Many monasteries were destroyed or turned into tourist attractions, often with monks ousted and religious practices replaced by commercial ventures. The authentic cultural essence—tied to both spiritual and historical roots—has been largely lost or hidden behind a façade.
He remarks on the paradox that the true heart of Chinese culture now largely exists outside China, carried abroad by the diaspora and expat communities committed to preserving their heritage. What is presented publicly in China often bears only superficial resemblance to the profound, centuries-old traditions that once thrived across the country.