(ECNS) -- A 75‑year‑old man's waterside courtyard in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, has gone viral after seven lush green gourds grew on his trellis, reminding visitors of the classic Chinese animated series Calabash Brothers.
Chen Jin'ao said he bought three seedlings for six yuan in March and built a simple trellis, intending only to brighten his yard. Months of careful tending produced seven well‑shaped gourds resembling the cartoon's heroic siblings. A curved loofah among the vines has amused viewers, who likened it to the serpent spirit villain, creating a whimsical scene of childhood nostalgia.
"It's great to see people love them," Chen said.
Chen said he planted the gourds partly for decoration and partly for good fortune, as gourds symbolize blessings and prosperity in Chinese tradition.
The viral "grandpa and seven gourds" trend has drawn tourists to Shaoxing, a water town famed for its stone bridges, black‑awning boats and Jiangnan landscape.
Visitors gather across the river to photograph the trellis, often calling out "grandpa" as Chen waves back.
"I never expected the small cluster of gourds would add a new scenic highlight to my hometown," Chen said, adding he hopes visitors can experience the gentle charm of the Jiangnan water town.
(By Zhang Dongfang)
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