23rd of November, in order to experience the Chinese cultivation and mulberry silk cultural, a visit for the new oversea students from Chinese preparation class was organized by the College of Humanities to the renowned Nanxun Ancient Town, which has long been known for its abundance of cultivation and mulberry silk culture.
Tourists lingered around the ancient town inflamed by a tint of autumn, with little rowboats drifted across the canal. Following the old footprints of the formal local tycoons, the oversea students strolled the streets and stopped by the unique landscape of Little Lotus Garden, which they enthusiastically captured with cameras in their hands.
While walking around the Jia Ye Library, the students were deeply surprised and impressed by the rich collection of this private library. Although difference existed between Chinese and foreign languages, fortunately the same respects paid to knowledge compressed this distance. “ The reserve and collection of books by Chinese intellectuals had demonstrated the respects this country paid to knowledge, which is totally awesome”, comment from oversea student Elizabeth.
Although the celebrities from Nanxun Ancient Town during the late Qing Dynasty and Republican Period have faded in time, students still felt familiar with the rich relics with an exotic flavor. They lingered around Zhang Shiming’s Former Residence and Zhang Jingjiang’s Former Residence, enchanted by the well-preserved architecture, which made them feel at home with numerous western architecture elements.
While visiting the ancient town, the students also tried their best to communicate with the local merchants in simple Chinese, and even tried to make a bargain for interested souvenirs and local snacks. This extra-curricular cultural visit, as a form of organic combination of in-door and out-door studies, not only enables the new oversea students to practice their daily Chinese, but also broadens their horizon and knowledge about China.
