This podcast episode focuses on the history of HeYepi, an ancient ferry port on the Yellow River, and the decline of river transport in the region. The episode features interviews with residents, including the grandson of the composer of the famous song "Ninety-Nine Bends on the Yellow River," who recounts the song's origins and the hardships faced by boatmen. The decline of river transport due to the rise of rail and hydropower is discussed, highlighting the shift in livelihoods from boatmen to other occupations like jujube farming. The episode concludes by exploring the younger generation's detachment from the river and the villagers' efforts to preserve their cultural heritage through tourism. For example, the episode details how the reduced water volume of the Yellow River in the 1970s significantly impacted shipping, forcing many boatmen to find alternative work.
