From July 10 to 19, the 2026 Wonderful OrientalExploration Exchange Program for American Teenagers, hosted by theCollegeof International Education, Jiaxing University, came to a successful end. More than 40 teenagers from the United States visited Jiaxing, Wuzhen, Hangzhou and Shanghai in succession. Through diverse activities including urban exploration, cultural immersion, science and technology visits, and folk custom experiences, they gained an immersive understanding of fine traditional Chinese culture and the development achievements of contemporary China, embarking on a marvelous cross-ocean journey of Eastern exploration in the water towns of Jiangnan.

At the opening ceremony, Dean Pan Weiwei delivered a speech, stating: “Young friends have traveled across the ocean to gather in the East, proactively breaking geographical and cultural barriers to launch a two-way cultural dialogue. This journey itself represents a bold exploration and a warm encounter. It not only injects vibrant youthful energy into Sino-American people-to-people and cultural exchanges, but also sows precious seeds of friendship for the good-neighborly relations and mutual understanding between the two countries.”

I. Cultural Immersion: Experiencing Jiangnan Folk Customs and Historical Context

In the cultural experience module, participants had in-depth access to various Eastern folk customs and the profound cultural lineage of Jiangnan. They wandered around Wuzhen Xizha Scenic Area, appreciating the gentle charm of Jiangnan water towns amid small bridges, flowing water, whitewashed walls and black tiles. They toured South Lake Scenic Area and Yuehe Historical and Cultural Block, tracing the thousand-year-old urban heritage of Jiaxing where red revolutionary legacy blends with classic Jiangnan charm. They also took part in hand-painted ceramic creation, perceiving the craftsmanship and charm of traditional Chinese handicrafts through every stroke.

Furthermore, the campers visited Jiaxing Zicheng (Ancient Prefectural City) to watch wonderful folk martial arts performances, intuitively comprehending the spirit and Eastern wisdom embodied in traditional Chinese martial arts. They strolled along Xincheng Old Street, checked in at the time-honored brand Weidefeng, and listened to melodious Suzhou Pingtan (Suzhou storytelling and ballad singing), witnessing the living inheritance of Jiangnan culture amid mortal vitality and traditional operatic arts. Towards the end of the program, participants made dumplings by hand, feeling the warmth and profound connotation of traditional Chinese food culture through hands-on practice.

II. Science and Technology Innovation: Witnessing the Dynamism of China’s Technological Development

The program arranged a series of in-depth science and technology exploration activities, allowing young visitors to closely observe the vigorous momentum of China’s scientific and technological innovation. The group first visited the Michelangelo Ice Cream Museum to learn about the innovative development model of the modern food and cultural and creative industry. They then toured the Wuzhen Internet Science and Technology Museum to deeply understand the robust driving force of digital technology in empowering urban development and appreciate the innovative achievements of the internet industry.

Later, the campers headed to the Panjiabang Aviation Flight Camp in Xincheng, Xiuzhou District, acquiring popular science knowledge about aviation flight and experiencing featured projects related to the low-altitude economy. In addition, they enjoyed VR movies and classic Chinese films at the Xiaopenglai Theatre on the Himalaya site, immersing themselves in the deep integration of digital technology and cultural arts, and gaining a comprehensive overview of the diversified achievements of China’s scientific and technological advancement in the new era.

III. Social Practice & Outdoor Activities: Investigating Rural Revitalization and Modern Metropolises

In the social practice and outdoor experience section, the teenagers paid a field visit to Panjiabang New Village in Xincheng, Xiuzhou District to witness the construction outcomes of beautiful countryside. They gained first-hand knowledge of rural revitalization achievements including the development of characteristic rural industries and the renovation of living environments, witnessing the modern transformation of traditional villages.

In their spare time, the program organized recreational sports, Muay Thai and Pilates lessons at Helle City Shopping Mall. Through energetic interactive sports, American participants experienced the charm of diverse cultural and sports activities and enriched their exchange experience. During the program, the group extended their study tour beyond Jiaxing to Hangzhou and Shanghai. In Hangzhou, they savored the poetic scenery of West Lake and the profound humanistic heritage of this renowned Jiangnan city. In Shanghai’s urban exploration, they felt the prosperity and open, inclusive temperament of an international metropolis. Through the collision between time-honored traditions and modern trends, they obtained a tangible perception of the vivid practice of Chinese modernization.

On July 17, the closing ceremony and camper talent show were successfully held. The young participants took the stage to showcase their talents, with brilliant performances fully demonstrating their youthful vitality and fruitful exchange outcomes. At the closing ceremony, Liu Yunchao, Vice Dean of the School of International Education, delivered a message to all campers: “Along this journey, you have witnessed both the innovation and inheritance of Jiangnan, and seen a true, three-dimensional and vivid China with your own eyes. The seeds of friendship you have planted in Jiaxing will turn into precious memories for your whole life, no matter where you may be in the future, as you cherish the days we spent together through wind and sunshine.”

Chinese and American group leaders as well as camper representatives shared their insights and gains from the study tour. One camper remarked emotionally: “From the profound historical context of Jiaxing and the water town charm of Wuzhen to the modern features of Hangzhou and Shanghai, I have seen an ancient, profound, dynamic and trendy China, and truly understood the unparalleled beauty of Jiangnan in the East.” Sincere remarks resonated with the whole audience. All campers agreed that this immersive study tour broadened their international horizons and enabled them to truly recognize an authentic, open and vigorously developing China.

Future Outlook

Moving forward, relying on its strengths in international education, Jiaxing University will further deepen youth international exchange programs, continuously enrich the connotation of inbound exchange projects and build distinctive international exchange brands. The university will keep promoting people-to-people bonds through youth connectivity, deepening China-foreign friendship via exchanges between different civilizations, actively disseminating fine traditional Chinese culture, telling vivid stories of contemporary China, and contributing Jiaxing University’s strength to the opening-up of higher education and the integration of Chinese and foreign cultures.