From June 2 to 7, a group of 40 international students from 24 countries, currently studying at 24 universities in China, embarked on a seven-day trip to explore the cultural wonders of Guizhou.
Divided into two groups, they began their journey from Guiyang city to Luodian county and Sandu Shui autonomous county, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and diversity.
What impressed them most was not only the beautiful scenery in the rural countryside but also the pride of Guizhou—the bridges, which serve as the most important connection in this region.
One of their notable visits was to the Baling River Bridge in Guizhou's Anshun city. Stretching 2,237 meters in length and towering 565 meters above the Beipanjiang Grand Valley, it holds the distinction of being the world's highest bridge.
Ruchiraporn Paengchantuek, a Thai student, expressed her awe, saying, "There are also bridges in Thailand, but while bridges are common everywhere, this is the first time for me to see a bridge spanning mountains." Comparing her hometown to Guizhou, she marveled, "Not to mention it's the highest bridge in the world."
The international students also had the opportunity to visit the Pingtang Bridge in Pingtang county. Constructed between 2016 and 2019, this colossal cable-supported viaduct boasts a span of 2,135 meters and surpasses the height of the Eiffel Tower.
The bridge gained acclaim for its combination of strength and beauty, incorporating the cultural elements of Guizhou's ethnic minorities into the design of the bridge tower, resulting in a visually striking and dynamic structure.
Sanaz Asadi, an Iranian student from Shanghai University, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to witness these bridges firsthand. "I am very honored to come to Guizhou to see the bridge because I feel that I serve as a bridge of culture connecting China and the world," she shared. Asadi, along with her husband, who hails from China's Sichuan province, runs an Instagram account dedicated to promoting Chinese culture to the world. She frequently translates Chinese poems into Arabic and shares them online, garnering a significant following.
"As international students, I believe that we have a responsibility to foster cross-cultural understandings and act as conduits for communication between diverse cultures," Asadi remarked, emphasizing the importance of their role in bridging different cultures together.
Gao Wenjun contributes to this story.
