A total of 11 international students from Renmin University of China (RUC) went to Datong City, Shanxi Province, to conduct the “Civilization Exchange and Mutual Learning·Walking and Knowing China” study tour from June 16th to 18th. They visited Yungang Grottoes, Yungang Research Institute, Datong Museum, Huayan Temple, Hanging Temple, The Yellow Flower Base and other locations to further deepen their knowledge and understanding of Chinese culture, social conditions and regional industrial development.
Zhang Donggang, Chairman of the University Council, and Du Peng, Vice President of RUC, joined the international students at the Yungang Grottoes and the Yungang Research Institute to learn about the protection and research of historical and cultural heritage. During this visit, the students learned more about the efforts and contributions the Yungang Research Institute made for the development of cultural inheritance and the digital preservation of cultural heritages. They also had a more in-depth and intuitive understanding of the meaning of “the world is a commonwealth”.
In addition, by visiting Datong Museum, Huayan Temple, Xuankong Temple and other historical sites, international students also deeply felt the rich historical heritage and cultural connotation of Datong. In the Datong Museum, the collections highlight the cultural characteristics of the northern ethnic minorities, the culture of the border towns, and the religious culture. In Huayan Temple, which is also known as the Liao and Jin Art Museum, students sightsaw the exquisite ancient wooden architecture and the superb wooden carving technology. In Hanging Temple, the students were impressed by the creativity and wisdom of ancient ancestors, who built temples on cliffs.
Here are some sentiments of the students:
KATHRIN NAGEL
During the trip, we were able to visit the Datong City Museum, which is a comprehensive museum that showcases the rich history and cultural heritage of the region. It appeals with its art, history and archaeology of the region. Inside the museum, a diverse range of exhibits that span different periods of the history can be found. Our tour guide gave us a detailed introduction into topics such as ancient artifacts, archaeological discoveries, traditional arts and crafts, paintings and cultural relicts from the region. By visiting the museum, I was able to gain an understanding of Datong`s history and its significance in Chinese culture. The museum serves as an important cultural institution, preserving and promoting the heritage of Datong and the surrounding region and plays an important role in raising awareness and appreciation of the area’s historical and artistic legacy.
CHRISTIAN WAGNER
Datong was once a coal mining town. Today it contains a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Yungang Grottoes. A gigantic collection of religious-political Buddha statues from different centuries decorate the caves. For example, there are Buddha statues from 1500 years ago, which have structures from the Middle East in their design, on the other side in the same cave Buddha statues with strong Chinese characteristics from a few hundred years ago, which were created by royal families. Such influences of different cultures and views are present in all the caves. In times of China's modernization and a divided future of mankind, Renmin University can now intensively research the rootedness of diverse cultures.
KATI OFAHENGAUE TUIHALANGINGIE
PUJA SILWAL
HOANG LAN CHI
The Focus on Yellow Flower base development against the poverty; economy new path in Datong：From the field trip based on the Yellow Flower Base Development, we saw the significance of the Yellow flower in the agricultural sector of Datong. During our visit, the tour guide as well as the local experts shared that with the medical properties the Yellow flower has, Datong chose to focus on this product in aggregating it to achieve its full potential on the market. From this, we learn that from an entrepreneurial perspective, the local chose to focus on one product, level it up, to a point where the Yellow flower puts Datong on the map both domestically and internationally. The yellow flower has planted a pathway of development and better living for the locals as well as the nation due to the fact it has benefit economically and medically. Not to mention it also helps the environment.
The Yellow Flower Base has provided an opportunity to decrease poverty, improve the living situations of locals and also provide jobs and market opportunities.
