From May 20th to 22nd, 88 international students participated in the 2026 Spring Chinese Feature Program Cultural Expedition. Traveling to Jingdezhen and Sanqingshan respectively, they shuttled between history and modernity, completing a three-day immersive Chinese cultural experience among porcelain clay, ancient towns, celestial peaks, and traditional academies.

【Jingdezhen】

The boutique expedition squad of 13 students made their first stop at Huangling in Wuyuan. The well-proportioned Huizhou-style architecture and the colorful shaiqiu (crops drying in the sun) hanging from the windowsills were as beautiful as a painting. Walking along Heavenly Street (Tianjie), the students experienced the most authentic rural charm

On the morning of the second day, they visited the Imperial Kiln Museum to see history pieced together from fragments of broken porcelain. In the afternoon, they felt the tranquility of "small bridges, flowing water, and cottages" in Yaoli Ancient Town, and experienced the collision of tradition and modern art amidst the red brick buildings of Taoxichuan.

The final day featured the long-awaited hands-on workshop—wheel throwing and porcelain painting. As the clay spun in their hands and colors blended on the porcelain bodies, everyone truly realized the hardship behind "the birth of a piece of porcelain" and took home their own exclusive cultural memories.

【Mount Sanqing】

On the first day, they settled down in Wangxian Valley. As night fell, the houses perched on the cliffs were brightly lit, making them feel as if they had traveled to a Xianxia (fantasy martial arts) world in an instant. Wandering through the valley, everyone appreciated the unique aesthetic of the cliffside architecture.

The second day was the most physically demanding. Taking the cable car straight into the clouds, they saw the legendary "Giant Boa Emerging from the Mountain" and the "Oriental Goddess" with their own eyes. Although mountain climbing was exhausting, all fatigue vanished into thin air at the sight of the grotesque rocks, unique pines, and rolling seas of clouds.

On the final day, they returned to cultural heritage. Stepping into Xinjiang Academy, they felt the legacy of ancient lectures amidst the primitive simplicity and tranquility. Afterwards, they strolled along Shuinan Street, drawing a perfect conclusion to this journey in the ancient streets and alleys filled with the lively hustle and bustle of daily life.

During the three-day itinerary, the students who went to Jingdezhen reaped the joy of "creation," while those who went to Mount Sanqing tempered their willpower and appreciated the beauty of mountains and rivers. Different routes, equal brilliance. Although the expedition has come to an end, the reflections on soil, rocks, and history continue to shine brightly in the students' backpacks. Until our next journey, see you next time!