ZBTI Hosts Russian Students for "Perceiving China" Cultural Tour

NINGBO, May 15 — Forty-seven Russian students from Zhejiang Wanli University took part in a one-day "Perceiving China" cultural tour in Ningbo, organized by Zhejiang Business Technology Institute.

The group visited Ningbo Guoyitang, a traditional Chinese medicine hall, and Yongshuiqiao Tech Innovation Center, experiencing both ancient medical practices and modern industrial technology.

Morning at TCM Hall

At the Royal Medicine Hall of Ningbo Guoyitang, students learned about the site's history, ceremonial traditions, and the philosophical roots of Chinese medicine. Ancient tools and stories of legendary doctors sparked their curiosity.

Later, at Lianqiao Guoyitang, students took part in four hands-on activities: weighing and wrapping herbal medicines, practicing Baduanjin (a traditional health exercise), trying TCM massage, and making woodblock prints featuring TCM patterns.

The herbal weighing session required precision and patience, as students used traditional handheld scales to measure each ingredient. The Baduanjin exercise, led by an instructor, demonstrated how slow, deliberate movements can promote health. The massage station drew a long line of eager participants, with many expressing surprise at how effectively the techniques relieved shoulder and neck tension. Meanwhile, the woodblock printing activity allowed each student to take home a unique piece of TCM-themed artwork.

"This is my first time seeing TCM up close. It's not just healing — it's a philosophy," said Anna, a Russian student.

According to the institute, more than 20 similar study tours have been held since 2021, involving nearly 800 students from 20 countries including South Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Morocco, and Mexico.

Afternoon at Tech Innovation Center

In the afternoon, the group visited Yongshuiqiao Tech Innovation Center, where they toured the Industrial Internet Research Institute and the Bluetron Digital Technology Hall. Students learned about homegrown industrial chips, including the CMC autonomous control chip, and saw how digital twin technology enables smart factories to operate on the cloud. The visit sparked discussions on potential China-Russia cooperation in industrial technology.

Part of Larger Program

The "Medicine and Technology" tour is one of four study routes developed in Ningbo, covering cultural exchange, rural revitalization, smart manufacturing, and digital technology.

"From traditional medicine to smart manufacturing, today we saw a China that respects its past and embraces its future," a Russian teacher said.

The institute plans to continue hosting international exchange groups as part of ongoing people-to-people exchange efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative.