On Oct. 3, two international students from Jiangxi Normal University traveled to Lichuan in Jiangxi Province to experience the area’s distinctive traditional crafts.

At a ceramics workshop, the students first tried wheel-throwing and hand-shaping clay. As the wheels spun slowly, soft clay began to take shape in their hands. They frequently asked the ceramic artisans for tips on technique, feeling the remarkable texture of the clay as it moved through their fingers. The students then focused on painting orchids on porcelain pots. With brush, pigment, outlining and dotting, the elegant form of orchid leaves gradually appeared on the pots. “It was my first time painting an orchid on a ceramic pot, and with every stroke I felt the spirit of ‘the gentleman is like an orchid’ in traditional Chinese culture,” said Julie, a student from Madagascar.

In Lichuan Ancient Town, the students wandered through old bluestone alleys, joined traditional games such as pitch-pot and lantern riddles, and experienced the local intangible cultural heritage of white lion dance. Under the guidance of inheritors, they learned basic steps and lion-head movements, feeling the rhythm and power of the tradition through leaps and drumbeats.

The memorable trip to Lichuan allowed the two students to connect with the rich culture of Jiangxi through immersive experience. “We not only enjoyed the hands-on experience of traditional crafts, but also deepened our understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture,” they said.