Wendelin Van Draanen, the author of Flipped, came to Guangzhou for the Southern China Book Fair from August 15 to 19. As a fan of hers, I set out to "find" her and see what in Guangzhou might flip her perspective. I finally met her at the historic Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, where we explored the beauty of Lingnan architecture. She was wowed by traditional Cantonese culture, especially the layers of symbolism, puns, and wordplay carved into wood and ceramics.
One moment changed how she sees something at home: her old drawer with bat-shaped handles. She learned that in Chinese culture, the bat "蝠 (fú)" sounds like "福 (fú)," meaning happiness, so bats symbolize blessings. Now she calls it her "happy drawer." That discovery—seeing beyond the surface to the meaning underneath—echoes the heart of Flipped: don't define a person by first impressions; look closer. And it applies to cultures, too.
This vlog is part treasure hunt, part conversation: from astonishing craftsmanship (yes, even lobsters carved from a single block!) to the joy of discovering the stories behind symbols. When we look deeper, with curiosity and authenticity, the world feels closer.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Videographer: Pan Jiajun, Li Fangwang
Video editing: Pan Jiajun
Poster: Lai Meiya, Li Wu (intern)
Editor: Hu Nan, James, Shen He
