From the first to the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Leshan Vocational and Technical College, in collaboration with relevant departments of the Central District of Leshan City, brought the "Experience China" practical classroom to the millennia-old Suji Ancient Town. They organized international students staying on campus to participate in Spring Festival cultural activities. The students explored ancient streets, savored local delicacies, engaged with intangible cultural heritage, and enjoyed folk customs, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere and cultural richness to experience the unique charm of a traditional Chinese New Year, embarking on a vivid journey to discover the roots of Chinese culture.
At the intangible cultural heritage food experience area, students got up close with culinary traditions. Molly from Zimbabwe, under the guidance of a master, glazed sweet-skinned duck for the first time, marveling at the glossy, translucent finish of the duck. The group gathered around the "Bobo Chicken" stall, experiencing the process of soaking ingredients and seasoning, enthusiastically praising the spicy, numbing, and savory flavors. The activities of making dumplings and glutinous rice balls were lively, with students sitting together to craft various shapes, their creations drawing laughter and joy. A Bangladeshi student, holding freshly cooked dumplings, excitedly remarked, "Though they look different, the happiness is the same."
During the event, the college innovatively integrated its "five-in-one" multidimensional teaching approach into the practical ideological education classroom, using the ancient town as a lecture hall, intangible cultural heritage as textbooks, and cuisine as a medium. Teachers explained Chinese culinary culture and the differences between Northern and Southern New Year traditions using local specialties like "Qiao Jiao Beef" and regional snacks. At the Hanfu experience area, they elaborated on the beauty of traditional attire and the continuity of historical culture. At the booths of intangible cultural heritage artisans, they interpreted how traditional crafts have been passed down through millennia.
The international students donned exquisite Hanfu, held intangible cultural heritage fish-shaped lanterns, and joined the "Fortune Arrives in Suji, Parade to Welcome the New Year" lantern procession. Walking along the ancient cobblestone streets, they exchanged New Year greetings with tourists, their foreign faces blending with traditional festivities to create a unique scene. As night fell, the intangible cultural heritage night tour began. On the covered bridge, auspicious lions offered blessings, and the lantern-lighting ceremony was solemn and festive. By the Emei River, molten iron at 1,600 degrees Celsius transformed into a sky full of sparks, complementing the dragon boat performances. On Rugong Bridge, fish-lantern parades and women’s group dances highlighted the ancient bridge's elegance. At Xifeng Square, intangible cultural heritage dances and Sichuan opera face-changing performances on the ancient stage dazzled the students, who exclaimed, "Incredible!"
The students used "Suji Le You Bi" (Suji Happy Tour Coins) to explore the market and sample snacks, from Qiao Jiao Beef to rice puff candy. The spicy, numbing, and savory flavors became their most direct language for understanding Leshan and experiencing China. The "Night Tour of Suji · Majestic Year of the Horse" Spring Festival theme event allowed international students to feel a sense of home and belonging far from their own countries, while making China’s excellent traditional culture tangible, experiential, and palatable. Through immersive experiences, the students deepened their understanding and appreciation of China’s history, culture, folk customs, and social development, expressing their desire to become witnesses and ambassadors of Chinese culture and to serve as envoys of friendly exchanges between China and other countries.
Using intangible cultural heritage as a medium and the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year as a bridge, Leshan Vocational and Technical College will continue to expand the practical educational platforms of the “Experience China” initiative, integrating cultural experiences with international outreach. This will enable more international students to understand and fall in love with China, and to vividly tell compelling stories of China to the world.
Edited by: Su Wenjing
