On April 29, over 80 international students from Russia, Uzbekistan, and Indonesia, dressed in traditional Hanfu joined their Chinese peers on a cultural immersion journey to Chang’an Ancient Town in Haining. Themed “Language Shining Integrity—Telling China’s Clean Governance Stories to the World,” the event was jointly organized by the School of Foreign Languages, the School of International Education and Studies, and Dongfang College. It aimed to convey the profound heritage and contemporary value of China’s integrity culture to the world through the unique perspectives of international students.
Strolling along Silong Old Street paved with bluestone slabs, the students wandered through ancient architectural complexes, immersing themselves in the pulse of millennia-old canal culture. The Integrity Culture Publicity Team led them to visit Xu Lian Memorial Museum and the Grand Canal (Chang’anzha) Heritage Exhibition Hall. The memorial hall features four themed exhibition areas— “Diligent Governance and Uprightness”, “Unceasing Learning and Original Scholarship”, “Redressing Wrongs and Pioneering Forensics” and “Unwavering Integrity Passed Down Through Generations”. These zones vividly recreate the life of Xu Lian, a renowned Qing Dynasty official celebrated for his incorruptibility, through a blend of intangible cultural heritage such as shadow puppetry and interactive films combined with modern technology. Alex from Indonesia paused before an exhibition panel and remarked, “What impresses me most here are the ancient buildings of Silong and the life of Xu Lian. I’m glad to have this opportunity for us young foreigners to learn more about Chinese civilization and culture.”
Inside the Grand Canal Heritage Exhibition Hall, 3D animations and digital sand tables brought to life the ancient hydraulic wisdom of “one dam, three locks and two basins”. The students marveled at the wisdom of their Chinese predecessors. “I am very happy to come to Chang’an with teachers and friends. I’ve learned so much about the Grand Canal and ancient Chinese architecture, which will greatly benefit my future studies and life in China. I really like it here,” said Winnie, an international student from Myanmar.
In the afternoon, the students changed into Horse-face Skirt (Mamianqun in Chinese) and took souvenir photos on the Rainbow Bridge amid the sea of roses. The 500,000-square-meter garden landscapes of the World Garden Show and the modern rose maze served as vivid testament to cultural exchanges between China and other nations.
A special highlight was the “Lian Café” cultural and creative coffee exhibition area, created by the College Student Entrepreneurship Team from Dongfang College. The booth wove integrity-themed elements into everyday life. As the students savored their coffee, they shared cultural reflections with volunteers, and China’s stories of clean governance were subtly conveyed through casual exchanges.
Zhang Lian, Vice Chairman of the University Council of the School of Foreign Languages and cultural mentor for international students, noted: “The ‘Language Shining Integrity’ integrity culture brand is more than a cultural experience—it is a bridge for Chinese culture going global. We look forward to using the voices of international students to spread China’s integrity stories across the globe.”
As the tide rises along the canal and the flowers bloom in full splendor, this journey to Chang’an Ancient Town—using Hanfu as a medium and integrity as its soul—allowed international students to comprehend the gene of clean governance in Chinese culture amid the interplay of ancient charm and modernity. The event not only deepened international youth’s understanding of Chinese values but also opened a window for the world to explore and learn about profound Eastern wisdom.
(Editor: Che Peng)
