Programme: Chaoshan Culture Camp
Partner Institution: Shantou University
Period: December 24 - 31, 2023
Chaoshan has always been a place of mystery and allure for me. In early 2023, I had the chance to visit Chaoshan once, but some scenic spots were not fully open due to COVID-19. Fortunately, the University of Hong Kong and the University of Shantou organized this cultural camp programme, allowing me to make up for my previous regret and gain many valuable insights and reflections. By visiting scenic spots and attending special lectures, I learned about Chaoshan's long history and unique cultural heritage, and experienced cultural forms such as Chaoju, Chaoyue, and Chaoxiu.
During the first two days of the program, professors from different backgrounds shared theoretical knowledge about Chaoshan culture with us. The on-site inspections in the following days allowed me to personally appreciate the diligence, wisdom, and creativity of the Chaoshan people. Chaoshan architecture, with its exquisite craftsmanship and unique design, features structures like “Xiashanhu”, “Sidianjing”, and “Bainiaochaofeng”. This not only showcases the Chaoshan people's pursuit of beauty but also demonstrates their love for life and adherence to traditional values.
I particularly appreciated the arrangement of entrusting the last four days to the tour group. The tour guides, who have a deep understanding of local culture, contacted the responsible persons of relevant scenic spots to share some stories behind historical relics, allowing us to better appreciate Chaoshan culture. The DIY lantern and Chao embroidery activities were also very innovative, offering us the opportunity to experience the production process of Chaoshan handicrafts and understand the hardships of the process.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the University of Hong Kong and the University of Shantou for providing this opportunity to experience Chaozhou Shantou culture firsthand. Through this opportunity, I not only made up for the regret of my previous visit to Chaoshan during the epidemic but also gained an understanding of the history, culture, and traditions of the Chaoshan region. I made many like-minded friends during this event. We learned, explored, and shared many wonderful moments together. Communicating with students from Shantou University helped me realize the cultural differences in different regions and gain a deeper understanding of Chaoshan culture. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Professor Huang from Shantou University and the organizers of the programme at HKU for their hard work and careful arrangements, which made this perfect study tour experience possible. Especially, Teacher Huang's concern for all students made us feel very warm. At the end of the event, everyone was lamenting how quickly the week had passed. It felt like we had just arrived in Shantou yesterday but were about to leave today. If given the opportunity in the future, I would definitely participate in such programs again to further cultivate my cultural literacy.
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