Former Amanzimtoti man’s Chinese tourism journey continues
As far as can be ascertained, the Chinese TV crew wish to film a South African family in their 'natural habitat' as well as taking in some of the local scenery and interesting sights.
A FORMER St Winifreds resident and architect Ian Hamlinton (46) has featured on over a dozen national, provincial and local Chinese television channels for investing his time and money into uplifting a small village in South East China.
He is now visiting South Africa and doing so accompanied by a crew from Chinese National TV which is interested in life in South Africa.
“I received word from my son that a crew from Chinese National TV is coming to visit us, along with Ian of course,” said his father, Colin Hamlinton. “They arrived on Wednesday, 6 December and plan to stay for some six days.”
After living in Amanzimtoti for over 40 years, Ian’s parents have made a move to Bloemfontein but their ties with the Amanzimtoti community remain strong.
As far as Colin can ascertain, they wish to film a South African family in their ‘natural habitat’ as well as taking in some of the local scenery and interesting sights.
The former Amanzimtoti High School pupil used his initiative and skills to help poor villagers transform the rural village into the thriving tourism destination it is today.
Read about Ian’s journey: Ex-Toti man is hero of rural Chinese village
Ian left for China 12 years ago to be a tour guide with an international travel company. While there seeing the opportunity, he used his architectural skills and resources to establish a hotel ‘Secret Garden Boutique Hotel‘ in the beautiful Jiuxian Village in Yangshuo County, China.
The hotel started to attract tourists to a village which had never featured among travellers’ stops. Being a qualified architect, Ian transformed an old traditional Chinese house into a beautiful hotel, without losing the magic of the old building. As tourists started to visit the hotel, the local villagers were now able to make an income selling souvenirs and locally made produce. Ian’s hotel grew in popularity and he procured more old houses which he also converted into hotels.
Ian is frequently asked to give lectures at universities and business seminars about his work in the village and as a result, travels all over China.
“Importantly, I am accepted as part of this village. I am treated like family, constantly invited to weddings, birthdays and festivals. I am just a lone foreigner here, but never feel that way, it feels like home,” said Ian.
On Ian Hamlinton:
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
