Jiangsu University students learn movements from Yangzhou Opera while sporting the traditional attire associated with it. [Photo/Yangtze Evening Post]

International students from Morocco, Jordan, Sudan, Bangladesh and other countries explored the traditional culture and history of Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, on Oct 18, taking part in a study tour organized by the School of Liberal Arts at Jiangsu University.

Jiangsu University students try their hand at making clay whistles. [Photo/Yangtze Evening Post]

At Shangqing Opera Stage in Xijindu Historical and Cultural Block, the students donned costumes and tried out movements from Yangzhou Opera, a traditional opera form popular in the region. At a workshop featuring Taiping clay whistles, they learned to knead, shape and pierce the clay, crafting their own whistles.

Known as a museum of ancient ferry crossings in China, Xijindu offers a living showcase of the region's history and culture. As they wandered through its historic streets, the students learned about ancient water rescue efforts in Zhenjiang in front of a model of a traditional rescue boat.

They also explored the development of trade and the city's transformation, at the exhibition hall built around the site of the former Yushan Wharf.

Local delicacies such as pot-covered noodles and paper-cutting artworks depicting landmarks including the Zhaoguan Stone Pagoda and the rescue boat brought the district's heritage to life, giving the students a tangible connection to the city's past and its enduring traditions.