To enhance the exchange students' understanding of Chinese culture and to promote cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, the International Office of Nanjing University organized 35 international students to go to the historic province of Shanxi to explore China’s current climate on a four-day national tour from April 11th to April 14th.

 

 On the morning of April 11th, our international students first arrived in Taiyuan and visited Taiyuan University of Technology. Tao Hou, the Vice president of College of International Education and Exchange in Taiyuan University of Technology presented the students with a unique lecture entitled "Shanxi: History and Today", and vividly introduced the history, culture and customs of Shanxi.

 

 

In the afternoon, we arrived at Shanxi Museum. The Shanxi Museum is the largest investment in the nation’s cultural infrastructure since the founding of the People's Republic of China. The students learned about the origin and development of Jin Culture and appreciated an array of ingeniously crafted cultural relics. They couldn’t help but marvel in the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient China …

 

 

After a one-day trip to Taiyuan, we travelled to Wutai Mountain in Xinzhou. The top of Wutai Mountain is covered in snow all year round and the average temperature hovers around minus 4 degrees Celsius. The beautiful outside scenery lifted the spirits of everybody on the bus. 

 

 

In addition to its magnificent natural scenery, Wutai Mountain is also home to the world's five major Buddhist holy places. Despite our international students coming from vastly different backgrounds with different religious beliefs, a sense of respect towards Buddhist culture emanated from them.

 

 

 

We talked with the senior monk of Wutai Mountain about Buddhist culture.

  

 

International students from France show keen interest in Buddhist culture. 

 

 

Students from different countries take photos on the mountain.

 

 

 

On the way to Datong, the tour guide shed light on Datong’s dependence on its rich coal resources in the early years of the People’s Republic of China. However, it is now known as the nation’s first historical and cultural city. We paid close attention to the world cultural heritage site - Yungang Grottoes. This includes thousands of large and small stone Buddha statues that are built on the mountain, each carefully carved to have solemn expressions with a realistic look. Despite the unfamiliarity towards the history of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the solemn Buddha statues and exquisite carvings left a deep impression on our students.

 

 

On the fourth day, we embarked on our trip to Pingyao Ancient city, which is renowned for its importance in Chinese economic history and for its well-preserved Ming and Qing urban planning and architecture.

 

In the evening, we stayed at the local antique and quaint hotel to experience the local customs and practices.

 

Strolling through the night market in the ancient city street, a galaxy of twinkling stars sparkled over the city and the dazzling array of handicrafts and local specialties transported us to the times of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

 

We also visited the Rishengchang Piaohao, which is the first draft bank in China.

 

 

In the county government, one of our exchange students sat in the court and tried to “judge” us in Mandarin, which caused a burst of laughter from the crowd.

 

Later, we went to the Qiao Family Courtyard and enjoyed the exquisite traditional architecture.

 

During dinner, our appetites were sparked as an array of local dishes each with its own unique traditional taste arrived on our table, in particular the delicious Shanxi noodles.

 

 

However, all good things must come to an end. The four-day trip was short but full of surprises. We learned about the colourful Jin culture and experienced different local conditions and customs. The trip to Shanxi province was a massive success and enjoyed by all, many of us forging lifelong friends from different countries along the way.