Editor's note: CGTN's new series "Landing Home" profiles young adults from China's Taiwan region who live, study and work on the Chinese mainland. Chasing their dreams across the Taiwan Straits, they are professionals from all walks of life. The series spotlights their stories in, hopes for and contributions to their new home.

"The train goes, chugga choo drip, into the tunnel. In the tunnel, drops of water fall, drip, drip, drop, chugga choo," Wang Yu-chen, a 36-year-old guzheng player, sings "Diu Diu Tong," a Chinese folk song.

It reminds Wang of her hometown – Yilan County in China's Taiwan region.

The encounter with Suzhou

Wang came to Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, in 2014 with her husband Chen Han-jui, who got an offer from Soochow University after finishing his PhD in the United States. Wang did her master's in electronic music at the same university in 2015 and got the position of a guzheng player in Suzhou Chinese Orchestra in 2017.

Wang, who has been living in Suzhou for about eight years, is particularly impressed with the city's classical gardens and food culture. Trying out different restaurants offering a diverse range of cuisines has been Wang's own way of unwinding.

When Wang came to Suzhou, her elder daughter was less than a year old. Naturally, healthcare was her top concern. But her worries were put to rest after her children got medical insurance soon after they started school.

"I really think it's very convenient here," said Wang, recalling her past experiences. "Once I had a sudden outbreak of hives. It was midnight but I could still order medicine on an instant delivery app. If I did not have that medicine, I would not have been able to perform the next day."

Wang's family, including her parents and two daughters, also live in Suzhou with her.

"The four seasons are pretty distinct here. People in our residential community greet each other. They are very kind," said Wang's mother Hsieh Chiu-jung, speaking of her life in Suzhou. "The flavors here are similar to Taiwan's – a bit sweet and a bit salty," Hsieh said of the food.

The connection with Guzheng

Wang started learning piano at the age of four, but later turned to guzheng, an ancient Chinese stringed instrument that has been popular throughout history.

She got to know about guzheng when she was in grade five. "I thought guzheng sounded better, so I made up my mind to learn it," Wang said with excitement.

One of Wang's guzheng teachers happened to be from the mainland. She said that her mentor from Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province, particularly influenced her playing posture. She learned a large number of pieces during that learning period.

"Teachers in Taiwan didn't have such a vast collection of sheet music. So, we had to come to Beijing during summer vacations and learn the fundamentals about music and its interpretation," said Wang.

In addition to learning modern works, Wang also benefited from an older generation of teachers.

"If you want to learn the fundamentals, you must get back to the roots. And the roots of folk music, in my opinion, are on the mainland," Wang said, shedding light on her journey of learning music.

The experience with education

Wang's elder daughter is in grade four while the younger one studies in grade one.

Her elder daughter learns musical instruments, Go, calligraphy and ink painting besides taking dance classes and physical exercise lessons. They even wear traditional clothes, such as Hanfu or cheongsam, on Chinese festivals, Wang said, adding that the overall learning experience is quite rich.

Wang's husband, Chen Han-jui, who is now a professor at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, often has video chats with his daughters to ask them about their daily life. The conversation is often conducted in English to encourage a bilingual environment at home.

"Coming to Suzhou was my destiny. If given a second chance, I would choose Suzhou all over again," said Wang cheerfully. "I am very lucky to have come to Suzhou."

Reporters and video directors: Shi Chan, Wang Yulian

Scriptwriter: Wang Yulian

Video editors: Wang Yulian, Shi Chan

Copy editor: Moosa Abbas

Photographers: Han Peichen, Yang Yuebo

Cover photo designer: Li Wenyi

Project manager: Wang Yulian

Chief editor: Chen Ran

Supervisor: Zhang Shilei