On March 20, the International Exchange and Cooperation Office at Beijing International Studies University (BISU) organized a visit for 16 foreign faculty members from 11 countries, along with students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, to explore new cultural landmarks in Tongzhou district, the sub-center of Beijing.  

The group visited the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing, the Beijing Library, and the Beijing Performing Arts Center, experiencing the charm of ancient and modern cultures and understanding the strategic layout of the capital's urban development.

The Grand Canal Museum, with its unique "Canal Boat" design incorporating elements of boats, sails, and water, captivated the visitors. Its exhibition, featuring over 6,000 artifacts, traces the intertwined history of the canal and the Chinese capital. Each artifact tells the story of how this "Golden Waterway" nourished the land and witnessed the enduring vitality of Chinese civilization.

BISU's foreign staff and students visit the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing.

The design of the Beijing Library, inspired by ginkgo leaves, impressed the visitors. The library has 126 smart skylights that adjust with sunlight and photovoltaic glass walls for clean energy. Its advanced facilities, including a 24-hour unmanned borrowing area and a metaverse experience hall, present a blend of tradition and technology in a comprehensive reading space.

The foreign staff and students take a group photo at the Beijing Library.

The Beijing Performing Arts Center, operated by the National Center for the Performing Arts, embodies the core principles of "People, Art, and Internationalism". Visitors explored the opera house, concert hall and multifunctional small theater, experiencing the innovative "modular stage" design that allows seamless transitions between performance, experimental theater and conference modes.

This event offered an immersive experience that allowed the participants to appreciate the strategic vision and cultural wisdom behind Beijing's urban development.

Albanian faculty member Mimoza Elezi remarked, "This was a wonderful journey that gave me further insight into this great nation's ancient yet modern culture. China is consistently striving to reach new heights in human development."

Students from China's Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions spoke of getting a deeper understanding of the Chinese civilization's vitality: "Standing before the smart city planning model, we felt the pulse of 'national unity', gaining a profound appreciation for the dialogue between past and future."