*May 16-17, 2025 | Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province*
From May 16th to 17th, 2025, Lianyungang transformed into a living classroom for 214 international scholars from 54 countries during the third annual Enjoy Reading Jiangsu cultural immersion program. Representing 37 universities across Jiangsu Province, including five distinguished delegates from our institution, participants embarked on a cultural odyssey through Lianyungang’s iconic landmarks under this year’s theme Tracing the Monkey King’s Footsteps, Unveiling the Crystal Heart of the Silk Road.
Day 1: Mythical Beginnings
The program officially commenced with an opening ceremony at Huaguo Mountain Scenic Area - the legendary birthplace of Sun Wukong from the Chinese classic Journey to the West. Delegates received special edition bilingual copies of the literary masterpiece before exploring mist-shrouded peaks where mythical stone formations brought ancient folklore to life.
An evening cultural intensive at Lianyungang Library featured:
Interactive Lecture: From Maritime Silk Road to Modern Port City timeline exhibition
Poetry Showcase: Our Mongolian student Munkhbayar (Mickey) delivered a show-stopping multilingual rendition of The Ballad of Mulan alongside peers from Xuzhou Tech, blending Mandarin and Mongolian verses with traditional Morin khuur accompaniment.
Day 2: Crystal Capital Exploration
Participants witnessed Lianyungang’s economic transformation through:
Artisan Workshops at Donghai Crystal City - observing master craftsmen sculpt 10-ton quartz into intricate artworks
Tech Tour through Donghai’s Wearable Armor E-Commerce Hub - China’s #1 body armor export base implementing AI-driven logistics
Cultural Bridgebuilding
Launched in 2023, this Jiangsu Provincial Education Department initiative has become a cornerstone of China’s cultural diplomacy. Through curated literary connections and hands-on industrial visits, the program achieved record engagement this year:
93% participants reporting enhanced understanding of China’s cultural-economic synergy
76 international social media influencers generating 2.1M+ impressions with #JiangsuCrystalRoad hashtag
These stone monkeys taught me how Chinese wisdom from 500 years ago still inspires technological innovation today, remarked Mickey during closing remarks, holding his crystal-carved Sun Wukong souvenir. The event concluded with plans to expand next year’s program to Suzhou’s silk heritage sites, continuing its mission as a dynamic platform for cross-cultural dialogue.
Our school's international students participated in the 2025 Enjoy Reading Jiangsu event for foreign students
International students explored Huaguo Mountain
International student Mickey recited The Ballad of Mulan at the Reading Sharing Session.
