A delegation of Tsinghua University students had the chance to explore the traditional culture, rural rejuvenation and innovative development of Fujian province from May 14 to 17 as part of their "Insight into China" social practice program.

Of the 23 students, 10 were foreigners and eight were from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. They specialize in different majors, ranging from economics and management to chemistry and mechanical engineering.

On the first stop of their tour, the students toured the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, a historical and cultural neighborhood in the heart of Fuzhou, capital of Fujian. The historic block has an abundance of ancient architecture and was once home to many famous people, including Lin Juemin, hero of the Huanghuagang Uprising, and Lin Zexu, a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) official known for his fight against opium.

The students were amazed by Fujian's colorful culture during their visit to an intangible cultural heritage exhibition hall in Quanzhou. An awe-inspiring marionette performance staged at night on May 15 prompted cheers all round, as did the Gaojia Opera, a form of Chinese opera popular in Fujian province for its various chou (clown) roles.

Tario Perez Vila from the United Kingdom thought that the Gaojia Opera contained a lesson. He felt that Fujian culture is all about happiness and enjoying life, as the locals use many colors and movements to express their positive attitude.

Lam Ka Tat from Hong Kong also showed a deep appreciation of the puppet master who has been using string puppets for over 60 years, and believes that his persistence is part of what makes traditional Chinese cultural inheritance successful down the years.

Aside from its profound historical treasures, Fujian is not falling behind in innovation, as demonstrated during the students' tour around the world's first 5G smart ceramic factory, developed by Jomoo Kitchen & Bath Co Ltd in Quanzhou's Yongchun county, as well as the high-tech Xiamen Software Park.

The rural rejuvenation efforts of boosting the integrated development of tourism and citrus planting in Yongchun county also piqued the students' interest, as did the two-decade flood control achievements made by the government on the banks of the Mulan, the mother river of Putian.

Normahmedov Ofoq from Tajikistan said that he was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of this trip: from visiting different historical places in four Fujian cities to attending cultural activities, from walking along the rivers to trying different local snacks, from the Fujian cooking style to new meals always filled with surprises, every place and every new activity offered new experiences.

Quanzhou's Yongchun county boasts an integrated development of tourism and agriculture as part of rural rejuvenation efforts. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]