A Russian student from Jiangsu University attends a calligraphy and painting exhibition in Danyang, Zhenjiang. [Photo/WeChat account: jsdyfb]

A group of international students from Jiangsu University visited Danyang, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, experiencing the city's rich cultural heritage through calligraphy, music, traditional opera, and rural landscapes.

The journey offered a multi-sensory exploration of local culture. After the trip, several students shared their reflections, describing how the experience deepened their understanding of Chinese traditions and cultural continuity.

Favor from Nigeria said the visit provided her with a close look at Danyang's artistic and historical depth. At the Danyang Art Museum, she viewed exhibitions of calligraphy and painting and learned about the lives of three influential figures in Chinese culture.

She said the most memorable part of the trip was the Danyang opera experience, where students learned basic gestures and movements, tried on traditional costumes and headdresses, and watched live performances. A walk along the Huanglian Mountain trail also left a strong impression, offering a peaceful natural setting that reflected the harmony between people and nature in Chinese tradition.

A Nigerian friend tries to play a Chinese instrument. [Photo/WeChat account: jsdyfb]

Another student from Kyrgyzstan highlighted her fascination with traditional arts and performances. She was particularly impressed by handcrafted embroidery, noting the intricate detail of each stitch and how fine threads gradually formed complete artistic works.

Students watch a yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer) performance. [Photo/WeChat account: jsdyfb]

As a music enthusiast, she described the live performance of traditional Chinese instruments as astonishing, adding that watching short opera excerpts strengthened her desire to attend a full Chinese opera performance in the future.