Oxford, Cambridge students visit Tongli Ancient Town, appointed as 'Tourism Ambassadors'

Tongli Ancient Town in Wujiang District welcomed a group of special guests Wednesday: students from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. Besides immersing themselves in the town's waterside charm, they were officially appointed as "Tongli Tourism Ambassadors."

At the Retreat and Reflection Garden, they were joined by students from Adcote School Suzhou to learn about the design philosophy and history of the UNESCO World Heritage site. "It's like a painting slowly unfolding," said one student. "It's not just the scenery — you can really feel the beauty of traditional Chinese architecture."

The group then experienced the water town's local life and traditional customs. At Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge and Changqing Bridge, they were introduced to the blessings and wishes given by ancient people. (The names of the three bridges translate as "Peace Bridge," "Luck Bridge" and "Longevity Bridge," respectively.)

They showed keen interest in local culture during exchanges with residents and their guide, and also picked up phrases in Suzhou dialect and Mandarin.

In recent years, Tongli's international appeal has grown thanks to China's visa-free transit policies. The town is tapping into the global reach of international students to share stories of Suzhou's rich heritage and vitality.

More News

The Suzhou Youth Federation hosted an event on intangible cultural heritage Wednesday, attracting over 20 young participants from China and abroad. They visited an exhibition on Taohuawu woodblock New Year prints and took part in a hands-on printing activity.

    

Source: Yinlibo app, 苏州吴江发布 (WeChat ID: szwjfb), Suzhou Youth Federation