In the heart of Kuliang stands Sharon Cloud House, a white three-story guesthouse adorned with flowers and filled with music. For three consecutive years, it has been the preferred lodging for the Friends of Kuliang from around the world. Behind this warm and welcoming space is its owner, Wang Xiaojing, a Kuliang native dedicated to preserving the spirit of her hometown.

Wang Xiaojing [Photo/FZ Evening News]

A former wedding planner, Wang combines her refined aesthetic with a deep affection for Kuliang's heritage. Inspired by a trip to rural Austria, she and her husband Liang Shaoshi transformed their ancestral home into a guesthouse that blends local culture with artistic charm. Liang, a music enthusiast, filled the space with instruments that invite spontaneous melodies.

The property includes a century-old stone house that was once home to Margaret Barber, a British missionary and poet; Eddy Lucius Ford, an American missionary; as well as renowned Chinese figures Yu Wenguang, a surgeon and Yu Baosheng, a biochemist. Today, it stands as a living symbol of Kuliang's cross-cultural history and friendship.

Since its opening, Sharon Cloud House has welcomed guests from nearly 20 countries and has served as a designated accommodation for the Friends of Kuliang reunion for three years running. Wang ensures personalized hospitality, carefully learning guests' preferences and preparing both Chinese and Western dishes to make everyone feel at home.

It is worth noting that Wang and Elyn MacInnis, initiator of the Friends of Kuliang, have co-created a jasmine tea. Meanwhile, Liang's original song "Kids of Kuliang" was selected by CGTN as the theme for its English radio drama "Echoes of Kuliang."

"I'm not just running a guesthouse," Wang said. "I'm preserving a bond — a Kuliang friendship that continues to grow and inspire."