Since I had never been in a Chinese factory before, going to Wuliangye’s factory was a memorable experience for me. When I stepped into workshop 523, I could see Wuliangye’s employees hard at work spreading out the five fermented grains of Wuliangye’s signature baijiu. I could tell early on that the workers were committed to making the finest baijiu imaginable for their company. I expected the workers to look at me when I looked at them, but instead they continued to work. I found their commitment to their jobs admirable.

因为我从来没有真正探访过任何一家中国的工厂，所以这一次来到五粮液工厂给我留下了极为深刻的记忆。一步入五粮液集团公司的523生产车间，映入眼帘就是许许多多辛勤的匠人正在摊晾五粮糟醅，这就是五粮液白酒的生产原料。工匠们为了生产最高品质的五粮液白酒全身心投入，你能很直观地感受到这种工作状态。当我们徜徉于生产车间内，制酒工匠们甚至都没有一人关注我们，他们工作的热忱与心无旁骛实在让我由衷地钦佩。

I was given a chance to taste a fresh batch of the baijiu in the factory; the baijiu was strong, but pure. Compared to most of the liquors that I have tasted in my lifetime, Wuliangye’s baijiu went down smooth. I felt like I was having a genuine Chinese experience when drinking Wuliangye’s baijiu. It was at this point that I learned that Wuliangye has kept the tradition of their formula for decades. To think that a baijiu could be made at such a high quality was astounding to me.Besides,we felt honored to be welcomed by LiuYoujin,the liquor-making technical expert of Wuliangye.Mr.Liu talked about the special techniques and philosophy of Wuliangye Group, which made me respect the company even more.

很幸运的是，我在这里有机会品尝到一小杯刚刚蒸馏出的五粮液白酒原浆，仅仅品尝了一口就让我感受到它的浓烈与纯净。相较于我从前喝过的所有烈酒，五粮液让我确确实实感受到其“味醇厚、入口甘美、落喉净爽”的产品特征。这一口五粮液对于我这个来自异域他乡的人来说，更可谓是一种纯粹而难得的中国文化体验。此时此刻，我进一步学习了解到五粮液所坚持数百年的“古法酿制”。五粮液酿造过程中的每一个细节，无不饱含着五粮液人对工艺、产品的无上质量追求，这不由得让我发自内心地感到无比钦佩。

Outside of the Wuliangye factory, I saw a couple of mushroom sculptures. I learned that the mushroom sculptures were there to represent the microorganisms to ferment the five grains. This is an important part of the fermentation process. Only after the fermentation by the microorganism can the Wuliangye baijiu be made. The microorganisms in the cellar of Wuliangye are unique. Only when the five grains are fermented can they make the authentic Wuliangye baijiu which makes it so valuable and special. I found the history behind the microorganisms to be a fascinating aspect of the Wuliangye company.

步出车间，游览于整个五粮液厂区，各种或生动或抽象的雕塑映入眼帘，酒圣山顶的几株巨大的蘑菇形雕塑更是勾起了我的兴趣。经询问，我得知这组蘑菇雕塑是代表着五粮液酿造过程中对五种谷物进行发酵、醇化的无数微生物。成千上万种微生物栖息生存于五粮液的古老窖池之中，其中某些品种别处都尚未能发现。经过这些微生物细微而不停歇的发酵、醇化过程，最正宗的五粮液才得以诞生，这也是五粮液在中国白酒中如此珍贵及特别的原因。通过学习这些微观“酿酒师”的历史，我又有了一个全新的角度与方向来了解五粮液。


 

After going to the factory, we were given a tour of Yibin, the area where Wuliangye headquarters is located. The tour guide was extremely hospitable, he was always willing to tell us more about Chinese culture and how Wuliangye plays into that culture.

在离开五粮液集团公司厂区之后，我有幸得到五粮液集团公司慷慨与热情的款待，受邀在三天的时间里继续游览五粮液集团公司总部所在地——宜宾。值得一提的是，来自五粮液公司西南营销中心的向导异常热情，他一直极力告诉我们更多关于中国文化和五粮液对中国文化的贡献。


 

In China, toasting people during a meal is a sign of respect. With Wuliangye being the highest quality baijiu in China, toasting with Wuliangye is the greatest amount respect that a person can give. So, for me, when I was toasted to by the tour guide by Wuliangye, I felt humbled and honored.

在中国，宴会时敬酒、祝酒是表示对宾客的尊敬。那么，用中国白酒中最为珍贵的五粮液宴请宾客，则理所应当是对宾客的最高礼仪。正因为如此，能够被五粮液的领导及工作人员们这样的款待，我感到万分荣幸。


 

After my experience in the Wuliangye factory, I hope that I’ll be able to purchase Wuliangye baijiu when I get back home to America. I enjoyed the baijiu when I first tasted it, and learning about how Wuliangye baijiu is made along with the tour of Yibin that we received shortly after made me respect Wuliangye as a company. I will always keep the memories of the Wuliangye factory in my heart, for it was one of the most memorable places that I visited during my stay in China. I thank Wuliangye and their staff for what was an unforgettable and memorable experience.

本次的五粮液之旅之后，买瓶五粮液带回美国的愿望一直萦绕在我心里。这不光是因为我从第一口品尝开始，就已经爱上了五粮液的白酒，更是因为五粮液集团公司所展现的“热忱”“专注”“好客”等一系列正能量让我在宜宾旅游的短时间内愈发地尊敬五粮液这个公司。关于五粮液的记忆我终身难忘，因为这是我在中国参观的所有地方中最浓墨重彩的一部分。再次由衷地感谢五粮液集团公司以及来自五粮液的各位领导及工作人员，和我一起谱写了如此精彩难忘的人生经历。

（中英文稿件由五粮液西南营销中心提供）