On May 6^th, the Office of International Affairs organizes foreign faculty members to visit the old Beijing Hutongs and the former residence of Soong Ching Ling and experience various cultural activities, which aimed to enrich the off-campus life of the foreign faculty members of USTB and enhance their understanding and sense of identity of Chinese culture.

Learning the mortise and tenon structure

During the activity, foreign faculty members strolled the old Beijing hutongs, visited the siheyuan (a historical type of residence in Beijing) and experienced Chinese folk culture. The experience of assembling mortise and tenon joint structures enabled them to have a deep understanding of the beauty of traditional Chinese architecture. At the same time, they marveled at the superb skills of ancient Chinese craftsmen.

Peking opera facial masks painting

The process of painting facial masks in Peking opera allowed foreign faculty members have developed a keen interest in traditional Chinese opera. Through character selection, color modulation, and detailed painting, the foreign teachers completed the artworks in the midst of conversation and laughter.

Passed by Mr. YANG Changji's former residence

Through listening carefully to the explanation of Mr. YANG Changji’s life, foreign faculty members deeply appreciate the influence he had as well as the profound teacher-student bond between Mr. YANG Changji (one of leading educator and philosopher during late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China) and Chairman MAO Zedong.

Visiting the former residence of Soong Ching Ling

Subsequently, the foreign teachers came to the former residence of Soong Ching Ling, the Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China, and looked at the historical photos, collections, handwriting and other cultural relics of her life. They understood her choice of life that closely linked her destiny with that of the motherland, and deeply felt her unswerving patriotic feelings and lofty personality charm.

Group photo at the Bell Tower and Drum Tower Cultural Square

After the activity, the foreign teachers expressed their gratitude to the organization of the activity and looked forward to feel the charm of the ancient capital culture by participating more cultural experience activities. This activity further enhanced the exchange among foreign teachers and deepened the foreign teachers' understanding of Chinese culture.

Draft: MING Feiyang

Revision: CHENG Mingyuan