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Youth Meet Chongqing: A Global Exchange in the Heart of Everyday Life

From the rainbow arch of Qiansimen Bridge to the glowing lights of Jiefangbei and Hongyadong, the city of Chongqing left an unforgettable first impression on Konstantina, a photography-loving student from Greece. Along with five fellow Greek classmates, it was her first visit to China — and the bustling beauty of Chongqing became their vivid introduction to the country.

They were among nearly 30 young participants from 12 countries — including Greece, Brazil, Hungary, Pakistan, and the UK — who joined the 2025 “Discovering China in Chongqing” International Summer School, hosted by the Boya College of Chongqing University from July 1 to 10. This 10-day program combined academic learning, cultural exploration, and human connection to showcase a vibrant portrait of modern China.

Learning the City: From the Classroom to Cultural Roots

The summer school offered an immersive educational experience with courses taught by Chongqing University faculty. Topics ranged from Chongqing’s wartime history to regional cultures, industrial development, and the Three Gorges, all designed to give students a well-rounded understanding of the city’s unique identity.

In one particularly moving lecture, Professor Qian Feng described life in wartime Chongqing in 1941, when students held classes in air raid shelters. “Resilience is in the DNA of this city,” he explained, leaving many students visibly moved.

Discovering Through Walking: Exploring the Pulse of a City

For most of the students, this was their first visit to China. City walks through landmarks such as Longmenhao Old Street, Jiefangbei, and the Jialing River gave them a direct glimpse into Chongqing’s layered urban life.

Field visits were integrated with academic content. After learning about China’s industrial development, students toured the Fuling 816 Nuclear Project — a massive Cold War-era underground facility. Standing in the cavernous tunnels, Brazilian student Felipe said in awe, “It’s hard to believe this was built without modern equipment.”

At the ancient Diaoyu Fortress, a historic wartime site, students reflected on lectures about China’s historical connections to Central Asia and Europe. “History is never isolated,” remarked Professor Zhong Rongbing. “Even a single city can shift the course of civilizations.”

At the Dazu Rock Carvings — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — students saw firsthand the intricacy of Chinese religious art. In front of the Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue, British student Xuan Xuan translated for her peers, impressed by the eight-year restoration project. “It’s clear how much China values its cultural heritage,” she said. “You can really feel the power of preservation here.”

Bridging Cultures: Conversations, Tea, and Face-Changing Opera

To foster friendship across cultures, the summer school included team-building games and social gatherings. Whether sipping jasmine tea in an old teahouse or watching Sichuan opera’s dramatic face-changing performance, students found connection in everyday moments.

In the Western International Logistics Park — a key hub of the Belt and Road Initiative — students learned how trains from Chongqing reach Europe in just 15 days. “The Belt and Road isn’t just a line on the map,” said Naimatullah from Pakistan. “It’s a real link between our lives.”

One of the school’s highlights was a cross-cultural youth dialogue held in a traditional courtyard at Chongqing University. Under the theme “Mutual Learning for Shared Prosperity,” students from Korea, Spain, Algeria, and beyond shared their thoughts about urban life, heritage, and global cooperation. “Seoul is also a mountain city, but Chongqing’s layers are captivating,” said Korean student Eom Changsu.

A Farewell and a Promise: Carrying Knowledge and Friendship Forward

On July 9, students gathered for a final presentation, divided into teams to reflect on their experiences. The Greek group, led by Konstantina, shared a photo essay comparing their cultural observations between Greece and China. Spanish student Edward and Algerian student Brahim pointed to maps, showing how trade, travel, and understanding are reshaping connections across continents.

Many praised Chongqing’s urban development and cultural depth, as well as the Boya education model. “We’ll be back,” several students said. “Next time, with our families.”

Md. Arifur from Bangladesh, a PhD student in international relations, concluded with a hopeful message: “Let’s imagine together what the world — and Chongqing — will look like in 100 years. Let’s believe in the future of a shared global destiny.”

As Professor Yu Xin noted in class: “The real dialogue between civilizations doesn’t always begin with headlines — it begins when a Greek student stops to admire Chongqing’s skyline, or when a Chinese student listens to a story from Brazil.”

This is the heart of “Discovering China in Chongqing” — letting the world see China through real encounters, and letting young people become the bridges that span oceans and differences.