From June 26 to July 9, 38 teachers and students from Peru's Juan XXIII Peruvian-Chinese School embarked on a captivating cultural journey in China's Xuzhou.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

From June 26 to July 9, 38 teachers and students from Peru's Juan XXIII Peruvian-Chinese School embarked on a captivating journey through China's Han Dynasty heritage, thanks to the "Chinese Bridge" summer camp.

Organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation under China's Ministry of Education and hosted by Xuzhou Higher Normal School in collaboration with three local institutions, the program immersed the Peruvian delegation in the rich historical and cultural tapestry of this ancient city.

To greet their South American guests, Xuzhou's schools rolled out a vibrant array of activities, including traditional craft workshops, cutting-edge tech demonstrations, and culinary adventures. The warm reception set the tone for an unforgettable exploration of Chinese language and culture.

At Xuzhou Higher Normal School, campers dove into interactive Mandarin classes, boosting their language skills through dynamic lessons. They also tried their hands at dough figurine sculpting and stone rubbing—time-honored local crafts that offered a tactile connection to China's intangible cultural heritage.

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Jiangsu Model Art School introduced Peruvian students to the elegance of hanfu attire, traditional opera, folk music, and dance. A runway session blending modern modeling with historical costumes became a highlight, deepening their appreciation for Han-era aesthetics.

Meanwhile, Gulou Primary School—a century-old institution famed as a "cradle of young inventors" in Jiangsu province—opened doors to robotics, guzheng performances, lacquer fan painting, and seal carving. The Peruvian group also visited over a dozen Chinese host families, fostering cross-cultural friendships through shared meals and conversations.

A family-hosted excursion took the visitors to Xuzhou's iconic historical sites, including the Lion Mountain Chu King Mausoleum, the Han Dynasty Terracotta Warriors Museum, and the Undercity Ruins Museum. These landmarks vividly illustrated the city's role as a cradle of Han civilization, leaving the Peruvians awestruck.

"Xuzhou's history is breathtaking. This experience truly showed us how 'civilizations flourish through exchange,'" remarked one participant, echoing the group's newfound admiration for China's cultural legacy.

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]