Senegalese student Tuba is interested in Chinese landscape design. [Photo/WeChat account: zjwldyh]

When Senegalese student Tuba (a pinyin transliteration of his Chinese name) arrived in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province from Dakar in February 2022, he came with a clear goal: to study Chinese more intensively while getting closer to the classical gardens and landscape design he had long admired.

For Tuba, who has long been devoted to landscape architecture, Zhenjiang's rich plant diversity and clearly defined seasons offered endless opportunities for learning. Scenic sites such as Beigu Mountain impressed him deeply with their seamless integration of natural beauty and traditional architecture — a striking contrast to the tropical landscapes he had known in West Africa.

"Here, the buildings seem to breathe, and the flowers and plants seem to tell stories," he said.

A garden in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: zjwldyh]

His notebook, carried with him everywhere, became a record of that fascination. Filled with sketches of Zhenjiang's old urban neighborhoods and carefully pressed samples of osmanthus blossoms and bamboo leaves, it reflects his growing affection for the city. Outside class, he became a frequent visitor to many of Zhenjiang's scenic spots.

During his time in the city, Tuba read 47 professional books on landscape architecture and applied what he learned about vegetation layout and planting design to his work back home. Drawing on Chinese seed and planting techniques, he adapted new ideas to the conditions of West Africa.

The results have been remarkable. His landscaping company in Senegal has tripled its business, expanded its workforce from 10 to 106 employees, and grown from handling public greening projects to offering private garden design services.

Now a graduate, Tuba has moved to Shanghai to continue his studies and begin a new chapter. At the same time, he is working to promote future cooperation in landscaping technology between Zhenjiang and a city in Senegal — extending the influence of the city that helped shape his journey.