Spring Outing · A Day in Xitang

ONE

“Character Hunt” in Action

Between the narrow alleys and peaceful canals of Xitang Ancient Town, a special “Character Hunt” quietly unfolded.

Chinese language teachers handed out beautifully designed character cards to international students. As the students walked through the ancient town, they searched for the “missing half” to complete each character — in real-life settings. One student held a card with “氵” (water radical) and posed by the water. Another held “木” (wood/tree) and stood next to a bridge with tree shadows dancing behind them.

Finding Beauty in Chinese Characters

The camera captured not just the clever character-matching moments, but also the process of students observing with their eyes, participating with their bodies, and understanding the world through Chinese. Surrounded by small bridges and flowing water, Chinese characters came alive — tangible, felt, and warm.

Looking back at these photos, what remains is not just the fun of piecing characters together, but the laughter, the conversations, and those brave moments when students decided to speak. This kind of relaxed, real-world experience turns Chinese into something more than a classroom subject. It becomes a tool — one they can use to experience the world and share their joy.

TWO

Capturing Smiles in the Water Town

White walls, dark-tiled roofs, bridges over the water, and rippling reflections — every photo taken in this ancient town looked like it had a filter, no filter needed. Some posed by a window with a soft smile, others stood on a bridge to freeze the moment, and a few helped each other find the perfect angle for a group shot. The camera captured the ancient town and the students in it — relaxed, happy, and smiling. Against the water town backdrop, those smiles looked perfectly natural.

THREE

A Quiet Moment in Xitang

Xitang is quiet and gentle. A small river winds through the town, reflecting white walls and dark roofs — like a living ink painting.

The old stone paths, smoothed by time, lead through ancient alleys. Around every corner, there's another classic Jiangnan view.

The international students took it all in — walking, watching, and speaking in Chinese as they went. They talked about the flowing water, the small bridges, the old houses, the curved roofs. They experienced both the poetry and the everyday life of this water town.

By stepping out of the classroom and into a real landscape, they found that learning Chinese could be warm, natural, and quietly beautiful.

Source: Donghua University