Together with Wah Yan College Hong Kong,we also welcomed students and faculty from Wah Yan College Kowloon through TBC’s ChinaContact program. Their cultural and educational journey began with visits to Tsinghua University and Peking University, fostering deeper ties with these leading mainland Chinese institutions. They also explored the Ancient Observatory, marveling at the intricate large-scale bronze astronomical instruments, primarily designed by Belgian missionary Ferdinand Verbiest. This visit provided those students with insight into the pivotal role played by Verbiest and other Western missionaries in the introduction of modern science and technology to China.
Additionally, TBC Executive Director, who also is an alumnus of Wah Yan College Kowloon, Simon Koo, guided the group through TBC’s collection of ancient books and precious collections left by Western missionaries. This immersive experience enhanced students’understanding of the significant contributions of historical scholars in facilitating cultural exchanges between China and the West.
The visit to the Chinese Archaeology Museum also left an indelible impression on the group. Through an immersive exploration of ancient historical settings, the students and faculty admired over 6,000 precious artifacts spanning from the Paleolithic Age to modern times, and experienced the innovative integration of technology—such as naked-eye 3D and scene simulation—with history. This experience further deepened their comprehension of traditional Chinese culture, bridging past and present.
Beijing’s Temple of Heaven may be one of, if not, the most iconic tourist sites in Beijing. Constructed starting back in 1406, around the same time as the Forbidden City and the other respective temples of the Sun, Earth and Moon.
Another one of the more irreplaceable experiences we have in China as students is the amount of cultural exchange we get to participate in. While The Beijing Center organizes plenty of culture-based events, from tourist activities to arts workshops, there’s something about engaging with other people our own age in cultural exchange that’s really special.