On November 18, 2023, the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning organized autumn cultural study for international students. In this golden autumn, international students leaved the campus for Pianyan Ancient Town and Dongsheng Village in Beibei District, Chongqing. There, they appreciated the charms of Chongqing folk culture and architecture, and also enjoyed beautiful rural scenery. Twenty-four international students from 17 countries such as Malaysia, Mongolia, Spain, Germany, Brazil, United States, Nigeria and Tanzania, and their supervisors, course teachers and head teachers participated in this event.

The first destination was Pianyan Ancient Town with a history of more than 400 years. According to the explanation of Professor Zhou Tiejun, students learned the bamboo and mud wall in Sichuan and Chongqing traditional architecture, which is also called bamboo walls painted with mud. Passing through the bystreet of Pianyan Ancient Town, the students visited the King of Yu Temple and consolidated their knowledge of ancient architecture with the guidance and explanation of teachers. In the studio of Yuping Academy, they drew what they had seen and felt. Professor Lu Feng also participated and depicted the most distinctive scenery of the ancient town in the form of sketches.

A group photo at Pianyan Ancient Town

Professor Zhou Tiejun was explaining bamboo and mud walls to students

Drawings of students

A work by Professor Lu Feng

A work by international student Sahar Khudhair Abbas Algburi

A work by international student Lilly Friedemann

The second destination was Dongsheng Village of Liuyin Town. In this "Beautiful Leisure Village in China", the students fully felt the style of China's new village. After launch, the teachers and students experienced the process of making steamed buns, a traditional Chinese pastry, in an immersed way. The students personally completed all steps from dough kneading and shaping to fermentation. Then, they experienced the traditional folk art of bamboo weaving. The local folk craftsmen Huang Zhengfu, who is an inheritor of Chinese intangible cultural heritage (bamboo weaving), was specially invited to the site. Mr. Huang introduced the historical origin, development process and inheritance significance of bamboo weaving. Everyone listened intently to the explanation of weaving skills, carefully watched the demonstration actions, and completed their own works with bamboo pieces. The cultural experience in Dongsheng Village allowed students to feel the charms of traditional Chinese culture.

Experience of making steamed buns

Huang Zhengfu, an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, was teaching bamboo weaving

Bamboo weaving works

A group photo in front of Dongtang of Dongsheng Village

This activity has deepened international students' perception of Chinese culture, enriched their extracurricular practice, enhanced their cohesion, and also enabled them to have a deeper understanding of Chongqing's local history, culture and architecture. The Faculty will carry out more diversified practical activities for international students.