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A Glimpse of Tradition: European Chinese Teachers Encounter Ancient Hangzhou at Hefang Street

Editor: Author: Date:2023-08-03 14:29:41 Hits:10

On the afternoon of August 1, led by teachers Gong Junji and Hu Xiaohui, the European Chinese teacher delegation who traveled miles to Zhejiang, embarked on a distinctive cultural journey at the renowned Hefang Street. During the excursion, the teachers visited the Fangzhi Museum, experiencing the millennium-old art of woodblock printing, and later explored the De Shou Palace, soaking in the mystique and solemnity of the ancient palace.



Hefang Street, representing one of Hangzhou's cultural tourism highlights, served as the first stop of cultural exploration for the Zhejiang University China-Europe International Chinese Education Diverse Collaboration and Exploration Program. Upon reaching the Fangzhi Museum's Wangjiang Pavilion section, the teachers were greeted with eight exhibition halls showcasing Hangzhou’s 8,000-year cultural history and 5,000-year urban history, all arranged in accordance with local chronicles' tradition of categorically arranged topics and longitudinally narrated historical facts.

Woodblock printing, an art form that allows text to traverse through time and space, was thoroughly explored under the guidance of museum staff. The delegation delved into traditional printing techniques, even getting hands-on experience with woodblock printing, thereby feeling the unique bond between text and paper, and gaining a deeper understanding of the evolution and transmission of Chinese characters.



Subsequently, the teacher delegation ventured to the nearby De Shou Palace. Originally the residence of Southern Song Dynasty's Prime Minister Qin Gui, the palace was expanded and renamed De Shou Palace in 1162 when Emperor Gaozong of Song moved in. Over the centuries, the historical layers have bestowed upon the palace an aura of mystery and ancientness. The teachers freely explored, feeling through the glass showcases the architectural style, historical roots, and cultural essence of the Southern Song Dynasty royal palace. Amidst the ruins, they seemingly traveled back in time, immersing in scenes of ancient royal life. Although much has turned to ashes with time, the profound historical sedimentation only grows thicker.



At the conclusion of the visit, the European Chinese teachers expressed that the trip to Hefang Street has deepened their appreciation for the vast and profound Chinese traditional culture, providing more materials and cases for their future Chinese language teaching. They plan to integrate this unique cultural experience into classroom teaching, enabling their European students to better understand and feel the essence of Chinese culture. Furthermore, the Chinese teacher delegation displayed boundless enthusiasm, embodying the idea of cultural inheritance and exchange through their actions, thereby contributing to the advancement of international Chinese education, and ensuring the vibrant propagation of cultural understanding across continents.



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