Students from around the world connect with Yan'an's revolutionary history and vibrant folk tradition, sharing stories from diverse cultural perspectives.
Although it wasn't his first visit to Yan'an, a city in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, Jiang Debin gained a deeper understanding of it when he returned in February with a group of international youth.
"My fellow travelers came from diverse backgrounds, and our different perspectives allowed us to explore Yan'an in unique ways, creating richer and more vivid stories," said Jiang, 20, a student at the Communication University of China (CUC).
This cultural exchange, organized by CUC and the Yan'an municipal government, took place from Feb 9 to 12. More than 20 young participants from countries including China, South Korea, Albania, Japan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka came together to experience Yan'an's enduring spirit and vibrant folk culture.
READ MORE: The art of painting pictures with words
What made the trip particularly special was that these young people walked the same ground once visited by US journalist Edgar Snow (1905-1972), the first Western journalist to report from China's revolutionary base areas.
His book Red Star Over China (1937) documented the country's struggles and achievements, leaving a lasting impact on how the world viewed China's revolution.
Deng Liya, director of Yan'an's bureau of culture and tourism, noted that 2025 marks the 120th anniversary of Snow's birth.
"We hope more young people from around the world will visit Yan'an, just as Snow did, and experience the true heartbeat of this land through their own eyes," Deng said.
One of the most memorable stops for the students was the Yan'an News Memorial. Jiang recalled seeing a rusted mimeograph machine in the museum, which made him feel as if he had stepped back in time. He could almost picture the dedicated journalists of the past working tirelessly, determined to share the truth despite the hardships of war.
"Even in such harsh conditions, these pioneers never gave up on their mission. It was truly inspiring," Jiang said.
Beyond its revolutionary history, Yan'an is also known for its rich folk traditions. During the visit, students took part in activities such as waist drum dancing, yangko dancing, and paper-cutting.
Li Yiwei, 20, a student at CUC, had little prior knowledge of waist drum dancing before the trip. But when he and his international peers joined the locals in the dance, he was amazed to see people of all ages — men, women, and even children — enthusiastically participating in this traditional art form.
"The most exciting moment was when two African students faced off with a local drummer in a dance battle, with everyone gathering in a circle to cheer them on," he said. "Seeing young people from different countries embrace this cultural tradition made me feel like we're all part of the same family — the global village."
Joyful connections
Rinva Gjeka, an 18-year-old Albanian student, was captivated by the lively atmosphere of the waist drum and yangko dances.
"What impressed me most were the bright smiles of the local people — you could feel their joy and pride in their culture," she said. "It wasn't about the dance techniques; it was about the vibe. We were all dancing and smiling at each other, and in that moment, it didn't feel like we were from different cities or countries — we were just like the locals."
Chen Leyi, 20, a fellow CUC student, had a similar experience with paper-cutting. During a workshop, she was surprised to see many of her international friends excel at the craft, even outperforming the Chinese students, who were also trying it for the first time.
"Traditional arts have no boundaries. They're a wonderful way to share beauty," she said.
Rio Ohori, a 20-year-old Japanese student, was amazed to learn that many skilled paper-cutting artists are local farmers.
"People may not typically associate farmers with art," she said. "But when you see the intricate and delicate designs, you can't help but admire their unique artistic sensitivity."
The trip not only gave students the chance to experience Yan'an's rich culture firsthand but also helped foster meaningful friendships within the group.
Lee Che-young, a 27-year-old South Korean student at CUC, recalled a heartwarming moment on the bus when a Chinese student performed an English song, followed by a US student singing a popular Chinese song. Even the bus driver joined in by playing a Shaanxi folk song over the speakers.
Lee also pointed out that the students on the trip came from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including journalism, directing, language, and broadcasting. "I learned so much from everyone," she said. "It made me appreciate the value of cultural exchange. As a broadcasting major, I hope to use objective reporting to build bridges and reduce misunderstandings and biases."
ALSO READ: Gen Z podcasters redefine global dialogue
"This trip not only deepened students' understanding of Chinese culture but also provided them with hands-on opportunities to develop their professional skills," said Cong Fangjun, a CUC teacher and the trip's group leader.
Cong explained that during the trip, students filmed vlogs in multiple languages, sharing a total of 225 original short videos on international platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube, along with 110 videos on Chinese platforms.
For Jiang, returning to Yan'an was an eye-opening experience, as this time, he was walking in the footsteps of Snow, accompanied by young people from around the world.
"Yan'an is no longer the war-torn small town of decades past. It has come alive with vibrant energy in the new era," he said. "With our diverse perspectives and modern media, my international friends and I are telling our own stories of this city."
