In order to enable international students in China to deeply perceive the unique charm of excellent traditional Chinese culture and genuinely appreciate the struggles and patriotic sentiments of overseas Chinese entrepreneurs, the International College organized outstanding international students from five countries, including Bangladesh, Palestine, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Chad, to participate in a four-day study tour to Shanwei, Chaozhou, and Shantou from August 26 to 29, 2026, on the occasion of the release of the movie "A Grandma's Love Letter".
During their study tour, the overseas students visited the revolutionary sites in Shanwei, the ancient city districts of Chaozhou, and the remnants of the overseas Chinese hometown in Shantou. Through on-site visits, they gained a close understanding of the profound heritage of Lingnan culture and systematically enhanced their overall cognition of regional history and folk customs. At the same time, they also deepened their understanding of China's social development and cultural inheritance through these vivid historical scenes and realistic landscapes, thus experiencing a more comprehensive and specific understanding of a three-dimensional, authentic, and diverse China.
Tracing the Footsteps of Shanwei: Recollecting the Red Starting Point and Reflecting on the Modern Turbulence
In Shanwei, teachers and students visited the former site of the Haifeng Peasant Movement Training Institute and the Red Palace and Red Square, where they learned about the rise and development of the Haifeng and Lufeng Peasant Movements through explanations. Through precious revolutionary artifacts and historical displays, everyone gained a deeper understanding of the strategic thinking of Mao Zedong, Peng Pai, and other older revolutionaries, who advocated for "surrounding the cities from the countryside and seizing political power through armed forces." At the same time, they also had a more vivid understanding of the special historical soil in which this movement originated in Guangdong. Student YOUSSOUF BIN YOUSSOUF MAHAMAT from Chad said with emotion, "The history in textbooks comes to life. The weight and power carried by these silent buildings are far more shocking than words."
Ancient charm flows and fragrance lingers - An immersive encounter with the Lingnan heritage of Chaozhou, spanning a thousand yearsv
In Chaozhou, a renowned national historical and cultural city, teachers and students strolled along the Memorial Archway Street, where quaint stone archways stood among the alleys, engraved with the achievements and virtues of ancestors from various dynasties, silently narrating Chaozhou's long-standing tradition of valuing culture and education. Upon entering the Kaiyuan Temple, which was built in the Tang Dynasty, the solemn architectural layout and exquisite stone and wood carvings complemented each other, captivating the overseas students who stopped to admire and savor the beauty. Walking through Jia Di Lane, the bluestone pavement and ancient residences formed a charming contrast, exuding a strong Lingnan (southern China) lifestyle. On Guangji Bridge, teachers and students experienced the unique bridge layout of "eighteen shuttle boats and twenty-four islands" firsthand, deeply feeling the remarkable architectural wisdom of ancient Lingnan craftsmen. As night fell, Guangji Bridge radiated new vitality amidst the melodious ancient music and bright lights - light and shadow flowed and changed between the surface of the Han River and the bridge pavilions, making the ancient bridge appear even more vivid in the darkness. The overseas students held up their phones one after another, recording this magnificent visual feast and reluctant to leave.
Hometown of Overseas Chinese for a Century: Touching the Memory of Overseas Chinese Letters and the Style of Arcade Buildings
In the urban area of Shantou, teachers and students walked into the Lao Ma Gong Opera Stage and listened to the melodious and graceful singing of Chaozhou Opera. Despite the language barrier, the quaint opera stage and the vivid performances of the actors still allowed the overseas students to truly feel the unique local charm and cultural atmosphere of Chaoshan traditional opera art.
Subsequently, the group arrived at the Overseas Chinese Postal Culture Museum and the General Post Office Building. In the display cases, one could see a series of yellowed overseas Chinese postal items - those letters and remittance vouchers that crossed vast oceans, deeply touching the overseas students. Between the lines, they were filled with the deep longing and yearning of overseas Chinese for their hometown and loved ones; each piece of letter paper not only witnessed their arduous journey of hard work in a foreign land but also vividly illustrated the profound sense of home and national sentiment as well as the deep-rooted family ties in the Chaoshan hometown of overseas Chinese. Through these precious historical imprints, the overseas students gained a more intuitive and profound understanding of the deep connection between Chinese business culture and the Chaoshan region.
At the end of the journey, the teachers and students entered the arcade area of the small park. Here, the uniquely styled arcade buildings cleverly blend Chinese and Western cultures - exquisite carved window lintels, tall Roman columns, and solemn Chinese-style plaques complement each other, vividly recreating the prosperous scene of Shantou's opening to trade a century ago, and can be regarded as a classic epitome of Lingnan modern architectural art.
The heroic spirit of Yingge: Amidst the stirring drum beats, the overseas students' blood boiled with passion
On the final day of the study tour, teachers and students entered the Chaoshan Historical and Cultural Expo Center to visit the exhibition and witness the live performance of Yingge Dance. Known as the "Chinese War Dance," Yingge Dance is a national-level intangible cultural heritage, combining dance, martial arts, and opera. It is vigorous, powerful, with a sonorous rhythm and varied formations. At the performance, the sonorous drum beats and passionate dance movements complemented each other, instantly igniting the atmosphere. The overseas students were deeply moved by the exuberant vitality and collective spirit of this traditional folk art. Warm applause broke out repeatedly, and they personally felt the unique tension and charm of Chaoshan culture amidst the audio-visual shock.
Subsequently, the teachers and students visited the permanent exhibition of the Expo Center, gaining a systematic understanding of the historical changes, folk customs, and intangible cultural heritage of the Chaoshan region. From the exquisite traditional crafts such as wood carving, porcelain inlay, and plaster sculpture, to the in-depth interpretation of Chaoshan ancestral culture and the spirit of the hometown of overseas Chinese, every exhibition vividly presented the profound and enduring nature of Chaoshan culture. The overseas students stopped in front of the exhibits, examined them closely, and read the descriptions carefully. Amidst the interweaving of physical objects and scenes, they gained a more three-dimensional and in-depth understanding of the cultural roots and regional spirit of this land.
Learn while walking, grow through experience
This study tour to the Chaoshan region is a cultural practice activity carefully planned by the International College to commend the outstanding international students who came to China in the previous academic year. It is also a vivid attempt to showcase the diversity and unique charm of Lingnan culture to international students. During the four-day trip, the international students touched the historical context while walking, perceived the cultural heritage while visiting, and deepened their understanding and recognition of Chinese excellent traditional culture and Lingnan regional culture through experience, achieving the dual gains of knowledge expansion and humanistic cultivation.
The International College has always attached great importance to the cultivation and motivation of international students in China. In the future, it will continue to organize more high-quality cultural and practical activities, encouraging outstanding students to learn through traveling and grow through experiencing. They will record Chinese stories from the perspective of youth, convey friendly voices with an open mind, and actively become messengers of cultural exchange between China and foreign countries.
