On October 15, 2025, representatives of international students from Shanghai Donghua University went to Fengjing Ancient Town, Jinshan District, Shanghai to participate in the "Overseas Chinese See Jinshan" non-governmental diplomacy activity. International student representatives from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Yemen, Kenya and Ethiopia were invited to gather in Jiangnan Water Town to appreciate the profound heritage and contemporary vitality of traditional Chinese culture.
Everyone strolled on the bluestone road of Fengjing Ancient Town, and successively visited the Xie Tianxi Art Museum, Jiangnan Water Town Marriage Museum and other places, with small bridges and flowing water, white walls and tiles, and well-preserved traditional buildings, so that students could intuitively feel the unique historical style and cultural inheritance of Jiangnan.
In the experience session of Jinshan peasant painting, under the careful guidance of professional teachers, everyone took up a pen and painted and experienced this unique folk art form firsthand. Jinshan intangible cultural heritage refreshments such as Zhuangyuan cake were also prepared at the event site, allowing students to further understand the local food culture in the process of tasting traditional food.
Fang Li, an international student from Pakistan, said that this was his first time in Fengjing Ancient Town. "This immersive experience of the ancient water town is very meaningful. When I walked past an ancient bridge and learned that it was more than 700 years old, I thought it was amazing. I also experienced Jinshan peasant paintings, and I liked the rich and bright colors. ”
This trip to Fengjing Ancient Town not only provided international students with the opportunity to get close to Jiangnan folklore, but also further enhanced their cognitive and emotional connection with traditional Chinese culture, helping international students become friendly messengers for spreading Chinese stories and promoting people-to-people ties.
