Seventeen years ago when six artists came to Songzhuang in the eastern suburbs of Beijing in search of a bit of peace and quiet for their artistic creation, what they found was no more than dilapidated houses in the typical style of northern Chinese peasantry.

Today, Songzhuang village has become the largest gathering of artists certainly in China if not in the world. As we found out in the last episode of our special series on the China Culture Industry Reforms, the intense concentration of creativity generated by this large colony of artists has fundamentally changed the natural and cultural scene of the small village and Beijing as a whole.

Every day, Dong Benyi engages himself in the practice of Chinese ink and brush paintings. Many of his most famous works, mainly the landscapes of misty mountains and rivers, were created here in his spacious and quiet studio.

Here in Songzhuang, many artists remain committed to the ideals of art and Mr. Dong is one of the prime examples.

He moved to Songzhuang three years ago and finally settled down in this big courtyard to live and work. Now he's become one of the prominent members of the growing artist community.

Dong Benyi, an artist, said, "For artists like me, nothing is more important than a steady, unhurried and unrestricted life. Here in Songzhuang, I live as I like. The quiet and independent environment in the countryside brings me closer to nature. I also feel the independence and the intellectual distance needed for the distraction-free practice of art."

Songzhuang village is the result of a trend in the mid 1990s where artists' communities migrated away from big cities. By the early 2000s, artists from all over the country had gathered here to form a vibrant and creative enclave.

The intense artistic exploration has made Songzhuang become the breeding ground of many talents of international renown. Communal artistic life encouraged productive exchange and exploration of all sorts of ideas.

From an unknown village to the capital's art center, Songzhuang has mapped out a even bigger plan.

Cao Wei, secretary general of Songzhuang Art Promotion Assn., said, "By the year 2020, Songzhuang will developed into an area called the Central Art District and also an international culture creation industrial park with its own characteristics. We will try to maintain a balance between natural beauty and artistic atmosphere. Local developments are also being put in place to meet the alternative lifestyle patterns of this community."