From May 7 to 12, 2026, international students of English-taught programs at the Beijing Normal University Business School (BNUBS) embarked on a six-day "Understanding China" study tour across Henan Province. Led by a team of Chinese and foreign mentors including foreign faculty of BNUBS, President Moon Hwi-chang of Korea Network University of Foreign Languages, Director Zheng Feihu of the Education Service Standards Center, Wang Wei, Director of the School Office, and Wu Di, Secretary-General of the National Moral Education Committee, the students traveled across Anyang, Zhengzhou, Luoyang and other cities. They traced the origins of Chinese characters, explored the Yin Shang civilization, learned the spirit of the Red Flag Canal, engaged with modern industries and experienced intangible cultural heritage (ICH) crafts. Amid the integration of history and modernity, culture and technology, they gained in-depth insights into China and the Central Plains region.

 

Day 1: Tracing Chinese Characters · First Impressions of Anyang

Upon arrival in Anyang, Yang Mingxue, Secretary-General, and Li Yongcheng, Vice President of the Painting and Calligraphy Academy under the Anyang Municipal Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, wrote the Chinese character Fu (blessing) in oracle bone script on folding fans and presented them to every student. This warm gesture kicked off the cross-cultural study tour focused on the civilization of the Central Plains.

 

Figure 1: Group photo of all participants at Anyang East Railway Station

The group then visited the National Museum of Chinese Writing. The students followed the guides to learn about the evolution of Chinese characters from oracle bone inscriptions, bronze inscriptions and seal scripts to modern simplified characters, and appreciated the origin and millennia-long heritage of Chinese writing. They traveled back through time to understand the wisdom of ancient Chinese people embodied in characters and the profound civilizational marks carried by these symbols.

 

Figure 2: International students visiting the National Museum of Chinese Writing

In the afternoon, the group toured the Red Flag Canal and Youth Cave. They witnessed the cliffside water diversion project on site, learned about the construction of the man-made "River in the Sky", and deeply comprehended the spirit of the Red Flag Canal: self-reliance, hard work, solidarity and selfless dedication.

 

Figure 3: Group photo of international students at the Red Flag Canal Memorial Hall

 

Day 2: Yin Shang Civilization · Dialogue with Modern Industries

On the second day, Xu Hejian, Deputy Curator of the Yin Ruins Museum, warmly received the group. Inside the museum, the students explored the over 3,000-year-old Yin Shang Dynasty. They viewed oracle bone scripts, bronze wares and capital city ruins up close, touching the root of Chinese civilization. At the museum’s interactive experience area, the students learned about the shapes and casting techniques of Shang Dynasty ritual bronze vessels, and took part in an ICH activity of making bronze ding models with plaster, immersing themselves in the charm of Yin Shang culture and traditional craftsmanship.

 

Figure 4: International students exploring the Yin Ruins and making plaster models of bronze dings

In the afternoon, the students paid a visit to China Railway United International Container Co., Ltd. They learned about the operation of railway container hubs, multimodal transport organization and the logistics system of international freight trains, gaining a firsthand look at cross-border transportation under the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of modern smart logistics.

 

Figure 4: International students visiting China Railway United International Container Co., Ltd.

 

Day 3: Treasures of Henan Museum · Splendor of the Prosperous Tang Dynasty

On the morning of the third day, the group visited Henan Museum. They admired national treasures such as the Jiahu Bone Flute and the Lotus and Crane Square Pot, and experienced the profound heritage of Yellow River culture and Chinese civilization. Later, they went to the Tri-Color Glazed Pottery Museum to learn about the history, artistic features and cultural connotations of tri-color glazed pottery. The students also tried making the pottery by hand, feeling the enduring vitality of this ICH art form.

 

Figure 5: International students creating tri-color glazed pottery works and experiencing the charm of intangible cultural heritage

In the evening, the students toured the Sui-Tang Luoyang City and Jiuzhou Pond at night. They visited Yingzhou Hall, Fangzhang Hall and Yaoguang Palace in sequence. Through exhibitions on imperial gardens, palace life of the Tang Dynasty and the architecture of Yaoguang Palace, they appreciated the architectural norms and court culture of Luoyang, the imperial capital in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, bringing a fulfilling day of study to a wonderful close.

Day 4: Stone Carving Art · Discovering the Earliest China

Early on May 10, the students headed for the Longmen Grottoes. They admired stone statues including the Grand Vairocana Buddha, and appreciated the perfect integration of natural landscapes and sculptural art. They also hung prayer plaques and learned the cultural implication of the idiom "carp leaping over the dragon gate". Guides explained that the Longmen Grottoes are not only a masterpiece of stone carving art, but also a witness to Sino-foreign cultural exchanges. Buddhist art took root in the Central Plains here and gradually merged into the mainstream of Chinese civilization.

 

Figure 6: International students touring the Longmen Grottoes and experiencing local culture

After leaving the grottoes, the group visited the Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital. They viewed sand tables of palace ruins and cultural displays of early civilizations, explored the features of the capital of "the earliest China", and learned about bronze civilization and the origin of state power in the Xia Dynasty. The tour continued to the White Horse Temple, where the students learned about the history of Buddhism’s introduction to the Central Plains and the layout of ancient temples. Wandering among halls built in Thai, Burmese and Indian styles, they witnessed the diversity of Buddhist culture and the splendor of cultural exchange and mutual learning, and understood the vital role of the White Horse Temple as an origin of Sino-foreign cultural integration.

  

Figure 7: Cultural relics: Turquoise dragon-shaped artifact (left) and bronze jue with nail pattern (right)

  

Figure 8: International students learning the historical tale of "white horses carrying Buddhist scriptures" at the White Horse Temple

That night, a summary forum titled "Night Talk by the Longmen Grottoes" was held. Students shared their takeaways and put forward suggestions for the international communication of Central Plains culture. Professor Yin Wenyan presided over the event, while Professor Moon Hwi-chang delivered a concluding speech, highlighting the importance of a global vision for cultural communication.

 

 

 

Figure 9: Scene of "Night Talk by the Longmen Grottoes"

Day 5: Inter-university Exchanges · Elegance of Intangible Cultural Heritage

The international students conducted academic and cultural exchanges at Luoyang Institute of Science and Technology and Luoyang Vocational and Technical College successively. At Luoyang Institute of Science and Technology, Professor Moon Hwi-chang delivered a speech entitled Global Competitiveness in the AI Era: Impacts on China. Teachers and students from both sides held in-depth discussions on discipline development, talent training and international competitiveness. The group also visited laboratories of the School of Materials Science and Engineering to learn about cutting-edge progress and research platforms in material science.

 

Figure 10: International students exchanging ideas with teachers and students from Luoyang Institute of Science and Technology

At the Paper-cutting Studio of Wang Fei in Luoyang Vocational and Technical College, all students experienced the traditional paper-cutting craft. Education expert Wang Kai gave a lecture themed "Luoyang in Poetry", guiding the students to appreciate Tang poems and the poetic charm of Luoyang.

 

Figure 11: International students showing their handmade paper-cutting works

Day 6: Grace of the Ancient Capital · Conclusion of the Study Tour

On the final day, the group climbed the Yingtian Gate to explore the architectural norms and court ritual systems of the Sui and Tang imperial palaces and experience the grandeur of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. They then visited the Mingtang and Paradise Hall to learn about state affairs and royal Buddhist activities during the reign of Wu Zetian, marking the successful conclusion of the study tour in the Central Plains.

 

Figure 12: Group photo of teachers and students in front of Yingtian Gate, Mingtang and Paradise Hall

Centering on historical culture, revolutionary spirit, modern industries, intangible cultural heritage and academic exchanges, this study tour enabled international students to understand China’s development trajectory and cultural charm from multiple perspectives. From the origin of Chinese characters to splendid ancient civilization, from man-made engineering marvels to modern logistics, and from the elegance of ancient capitals to academic dialogues between universities, the students learned through traveling and gained insights through immersive experiences. They deepened their understanding of fine traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary spirits and China’s modern achievements, while improving their cross-cultural communication capabilities and global vision. Moving forward, BNUBS will continue to build more practical platforms for international students. We encourage them to tell China’s stories well and spread China’s voice, acting as friendly envoys for Sino-foreign cultural exchanges.

Contributed by Hong Xiuling, Guo Yifei

Edited by Zheng Feihu

Reviewed by Hu Conghui