Young people from the UK, France, and beyond recently gathered—both online and offline—for a vibrant cultural exchange event in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. Titled ‘An Encounter with the Chinese Civilization’, the gathering spotlighted the elegance of South Yangtze River culture and its role in shaping modern China. 🌸
Held at the UNESCO-listed Lion Grove Garden, the event saw over 300 international students and cultural enthusiasts explore Suzhou’s history through virtual tours of the garden’s pavilions and halls. Professor Yang Xuhui of Soochow University guided participants, revealing how the garden’s design blended classical Chinese aesthetics with ‘imported’ European glasswork—a legacy of architect I.M. Pei’s uncle, Bei Runsheng. 🏯✨
Did you know? I.M. Pei, who later designed the Louvre’s iconic glass pyramid, spent part of his childhood in this very garden! Organizers called the event a ‘digital bridge’ for Gen Z to connect with China’s past and present. Similar activities are planned globally, proving culture needs no passport. 📱🌍
