In late April 2026, over 160 international students from East China Normal University stepped out of the traditional classroom and into a living cultural experience. Their destination: a three-day, two-night spring field trip to two very different corners of China—Anji in Zhejiang and Huizhou in Anhui. One group went east, the other west, but both set out to do the same thing: experience Chinese culture up close.

  A Journey into Culture Begins

Together in a Spring Like No Other

Anji, Zhejiang & Huizhou, Anhui

In Anji, the students saw firsthand how rural China is turning green. What was once a slogan—"lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets"—has become a living reality, with new eco-villages thriving among the hills and streams. The group left impressed by the country's commitment to sustainable rural development.

In Huizhou, the experience was different but just as powerful. Ancient homes, narrow stone-paved lanes, and timeworn alleyways felt like portals to another era. Walking through them, the students found themselves captivated by the deep charm of traditional Chinese culture—and left with a newfound sense of wonder and respect for its long history.

In Their Own Words

An Wenxiu (Myanmar)

"I really enjoyed the trip to Anji," said An Wenxiu from Myanmar. "Seeing the waterfalls, the bamboo forest, the old town, and the museum—it was both relaxing and educational. I feel like I understand nature and Chinese culture a little better now. It was a truly meaningful and unforgettable experience."

Liu Ping (United States)

"The most interesting part of the trip was visiting the countryside village and listening to President Xi talking about the role of experimenting in responding to the problem of 'counter-urbanization' from the cities to the countryside after reaching the $5,000 per capita GDP. It was interesting how 'common prosperity' follows and responds to the rebounding of the law of value in the form of creating/rebuilding rural villages sustainably, green-developed villages that ultimately manifest ecological civilization in a lived reality. City development does not have to be about production or speculation, but he points out that ecology itself is a goldmine, and that tourism and ecological development can be an alternative form of development that protects the balance between man and nature. It was really great to see what that future can look like in practice in Yu Village."

Feng Keying (Costa Rica)

"What left the deepest impression on me was visiting the ink stick factory and Tunxi Old Street," said Feng Keying from Costa Rica. "At the factory, I watched master craftsmen turn pine soot into ink through repeated hammering and refining. Their dedication showed me what the Chinese mean by 'craftsmanship.' On Tunxi Old Street—with its bluestone paths, horse-head walls, and wooden carved windows—every corner seemed to hold a hundred years of stories. For the first time as an international student, I truly felt that culture is not just words in a textbook. It's living memory."

Guan Xinyi (Malaysia)

"This trip to Anhui exceeded all my expectations," said Guan Xinyi from Malaysia. "I came mainly for the ink-making and gold tracing, but I ended up falling in love with Anhui's green landscapes and its lively local culture. This experience showed me a side of Chinese culture that feels completely different from what I've seen in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. It gave me a much deeper appreciation of just how diverse Chinese culture really is."

This "Second Classroom" field trip was more than just a cultural exploration—it was a journey that touched the heart. The students returned not only with broader horizons, but with a deeper understanding of China. We look forward to more cultural exchange opportunities like this, so that more international students can discover the real China—vibrant, diverse, and full of surprises.

Source: East China Normal University