On May 26th, the "Perceiving China · Charm of Benxi - 'I Study Abroad in Benxi' Jin Yi Chuan Ya Yun · Mountains and Waters Build Friendship" event, jointly organized by the International Education College, Benxi People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the Municipal Bureau of Culture, Tourism, Radio and Television, was held. More than 50 international students from the International Education College visited the Benxi Museum, Benxi Water Cave, and Xiaoshi Village, experiencing intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, exploring the wonders of the cave, and feeling the local customs.
At the Benxi Museum, the international students visited the exhibition halls with great interest, stopping to admire artifacts such as stone tools, pottery, and bronze daggers, and learning about the historical context of Benxi. Subsequently, in the experience class of intangible cultural heritage Song brocade, the international students learned to make brocade pendants and accessories under the guidance of their teachers. From cutting, filling, to pasting, they personally completed colorful handmade Song brocade works. Lisa, an international student from Russia, said excitedly after successfully making a pony pendant, "This is my first time making Song brocade handicrafts, and I really like Chinese traditional culture."
The second stop of the activity was Benxi Water Cave. The overseas students boarded a boat to enter the underground river, admiring various natural formations made of stalactites along the way. The cool water vapor inside the cave, the deep river channel, and the rock wall landscapes of various shapes elicited gasps of amazement from everyone. They took out their phones to take pictures and record the moment, expressing their profound shock at such a natural landscape.
In the afternoon of the same day, the overseas students arrived at Xiaoshi Yizhuang, strolled through the park filled with Manchu customs, visited traditional buildings, and learned about folk stories. At the Intangible Cultural Heritage Lounge, works such as wood carvings, Paper Cuttings, and embroidery were displayed together, and many overseas students inquired about the craftsmanship from the artisans. Zain from Pakistan said, "It's the first time I've seen such a magical place as Benxi Water Cave, and it's also the first time I've experienced such folk customs. It's amazing! I love Benxi!"
This research and practice activity deeply integrated historical culture, natural ecology, and folk custom experience, allowing overseas students to step out of the campus and into Benxi, comprehensively and from multiple perspectives, to appreciate the beauty of Benxi's history, landscape, and folk customs. Everyone expressed that they gained a lot from this activity. Not only did they experience the magnificence of China's natural landscapes and the profound heritage of traditional culture up close, but they also truly appreciated the vibrant vitality and unique charm of Chinese villages.
In the future, Liaoning Institute of Science and Technology will continue to organize diversified cultural experience activities and build more platforms for Chinese and foreign youth to interact and exchange, allowing international students to understand and love China through immersive experiences, and use the power of youth to build a bridge of friendship for cultural exchanges and friendly exchanges between China and foreign countries.
