Source: School of Chinese as a Second Language
Written by: School of Chinese as a Second Language
Translated by: Li Shouyi
Proofread by: Liang Jianxin
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On April 11, 2015, a delegation from the School of Chinese as a Second Language (SCSL) of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) embarked on a cultural and volunteering trip to Meizhou. Their destination was Yanyang, an International Cittaslow Town in Meizhou, Guangdong province. 51 faculty and students participated in the trip, including 13 international students from 11 countries of the Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL) program, as well as four students from School of Communication and Design, School of Geography and Planning, and School of Tourism Management of SYSU.

On April 11 and 12, the delegation visited Qiaoxi Village, Yannanfei Tea Plantation Resort, Ye Jianying Memorial Park, Songping Village, Lingguang Temple, Nanfu Village and Fangyuan Art Center. They watched a tea ceremony and experienced tea-leaf plucking and pottery, gaining an insight into the International Cittaslow Town Yanyang and the Hakka culture. Members of the delegation commented that Meizhou is a distinctive “l(fā)and of peach blossoms”, where people linger on without any thought of leaving.

 

SYSU international students of MTCSOL program making suggestions for cultural tourism development in Meizhou
From left to right: Jannatun Naher (Bangladesh), Susi (Indonesia), Sara Jaaksola (Finland)
 

On the morning of April 13, the delegation had a meeting with the Administrative Committee of Meizhou Cultural Tourism Zone. Mr. Zhang Wentao, Deputy Secretary-General of the People’s Government of Meizhou, introduced the natural ecology and traditional Hakka culture in Meizhou. Ms. Luo Jing, Vice Dean of SCSL, said that Meizhou has signed a framework cooperation agreement with Sun Yat-sen University, and SCSL will make the best use of its advantages to contribute to the cooperation between the city and the university. She also introduced the characteristics and international features of the school in detail.

In the discussion session, the teachers and students of the delegation gave suggestions on the slow experience, multiple platform advertising, transportation and other infrastructure, tourism service facilities, entertainment activities, as well as the promotion of city tourism in European and American countries. They also expressed the intention of establishing a long-term and in-depth cooperation with the Administrative Committee of Meizhou Cultural Tourism Zone.

The cultural and volunteering trip to Meizhou is organized by SCSL and supported by the Graduate School of SYSU. The activity is aimed at enhancing Chinese and international students’ understanding of traditional Chinese culture, enriching their practical experience, and providing intellectual support for Meizhou’s cultural tourism development. This trip has drawn the attention of local media with Meizhou Daily and Meizhou Television reporting the event.