Suzhou's ancient gardens and canals have long drawn visitors, but for 10 young people from around the world, the city offered more than just postcard views — it was a place to experience, not just to see.

On March 3, international students from countries including Canada, Russia, Nigeria, Thailand, and Malaysia explored this historic destination in East China's Jiangsu province.

For Jiratchaya Phinyoworakul, a 23-year-old Thai student at Fudan University in Shanghai, this was her second visit to Suzhou. She noted that among her friends in Shanghai, Suzhou consistently stands out as the top weekend getaway for an authentic Chinese cultural experience.

"Six years ago, I toured Suzhou with my parents, but we only visited the famous landmarks. This deeper exploration provided me with a fresh perspective," she said.

Olagunju Jesutoni Peace, a 22-year-old Nigerian student at Suzhou University, shared similar sentiments. "Despite living in Suzhou since arrival in China, I always felt I hadn't truly explored much," she said.

Olagunju's fascination with Chinese culture began in childhood when she and her mother would watch Chinese films together. She finally realized her dream of coming to China in August last year.

During their visit, Olagunju and her international peers explored the former residence of Zhang Taiyan (1869-1936), a renowned scholar from the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) who mentored many students, including the famous Chinese writer Lu Xun (1881-1936).

However, what impressed her the most was Zhang's wife, Tang Guoli (1883-1980), a pioneer in China's early democratic and feminist movements. "It was inspiring to learn that she was just as remarkable as the men — strong, intelligent, and ahead of her time," Olagunju said.

Alexandre Beaudin, an 18-year-old Canadian engineering student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, was captivated by the architectural beauty of the residence. "The white walls, black-tiled roofs, and intricate wood carvings harmonize perfectly with Suzhou's classical gardens," he said.

The group's appreciation for Suzhou's fusion of modernity and tradition deepened at the Ni Art Museum.

Beaudin was particularly drawn to contemporary artworks that focused on introspection. One quote from an artist in an exhibition deeply resonated with him: "What I present and express — is it my true intention? Or is it simply something I hope others will use to define and evaluate me?"

As a social media content creator, Beaudin found this reflection especially relevant. "In today's digital age, so many of us prioritize posting idealized, edited content to gain views or likes, instead of being completely honest about who we truly are," he said.

Cultural immersion

In addition to exploring Suzhou's traditional architecture, the travelers also engaged with the city's intangible cultural heritage.

They tried their hand at woodblock printing, a meticulous craft that involves carving a reversed image onto a wooden block, inking it, and pressing it onto paper.

Before this trip, Olagunju had only read about woodblock printing in her Chinese history class and had never attempted it herself. This time, she tried inking the block and pressing it onto paper but quickly realized that these steps weren't the most challenging.

"The hardest part is something we don't see — the carving of the wood," she said. "It's amazing to think that someone took the time to carve all those intricate details into the wood."

A particularly memorable moment for Olagunju occurred when she met a group of elderly women during the trip. "They were all dressed so beautifully, taking pictures of each other," she recalled.

In Nigeria, Olagunju explained, it's rare to see a group of women dress up and go out together just for fun. "I was so touched, and I hope that could be my future," she added.

This trip also fostered meaningful cross-cultural connections among the participants.

Yap Jin Jing, a 24-year-old Malaysian student at Shanghai University, found dining with her international companions quite amusing. Coming from various countries, the group had diverse dietary restrictions due to religion, habits, or allergies. Before each dish was ordered, they would consult the waiter and translator to ensure it didn't contain any ingredients they needed to avoid.

"Despite all our differences, we still sat at the same table," Yap said.

"We developed an appreciation for our differences while realizing that, regardless of where we grew up in the world, we share many similarities, much more than we may think," Beaudin said. "We share many of the same hopes and dreams, reminding us that, in the end, we are all united by common goals."

[email protected]