Exploring ancient China in Gansu: My summer well spent

• By: Lintong Xu, China Studies, XJTLU
• Summer experience: 2024 field trip to Gansu, China, organised by Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Nationality: Chinese

I heard about this precious study trip to Gansu from my professional course teachers. On this trip, I experienced the unique northwest landscape that is different from the misty rain south of the Yangtze River, which is epic in grandeur and distance. During this journey, we gained a wealth of knowledge through exchanges with teachers and experts. During our trip, we mainly visited many historical sites.

Visiting the Dunhuang Art Gallery in Lanzhou

In the process of visiting some of the large grottoes, such as the Jinta Temple Grottoes, we learned about their structure, history, and close connection with Buddhist and Taoist ideas. By observing the Leitai Tomb, we learnt about the historical background and geomantic omen of the tomb owner.

While appreciating the cultural relics in the museum, we were deeply shocked by the cultural relics contained in the code of civilisation, for example, a galloping horse treading on a flying swallow of the wealth and prosperity of the Han Dynasty. We also learned the Wooden Slip of Wangzhangzhaoshuling from Wuwei embodies the importance of social ethics in Confucianism and the prevailing social atmosphere of respecting older people.

Crossing the Hexi Corridor, standing on the Jiayuguan, and looking at the Crescent Spring on the top of the Mingsha Mountain, we felt a unique artistic conception, and at that moment, I seemed to travel to ancient times. People in the past also stopped in these places. While they cared about the country in their hearts, did they ever think that in the distant future, there would be a group of tourists who would also travel here with love and faith? The northwest landscape is dominated by deserts, mountains, and oases, which can contrast with the deep blue of the sky. It’s a fascinating sight.

On a tour of Mati Temple Grotto in Zhangye

The meaning of history seemed to materialise at this moment. Although located on the country’s northwestern border, Gansu province is of great strategic and political significance, for example, the Hexi Corridor, which connected the Eastern and Western civilisations and carried the expectations of emissaries such as Zhang Qian of the Western Han Dynasty. When the Central Plains Dynasty was invaded by war, it became a cultural and educational land for the scholars of the Central Plains to live and work happily. In conclusion, this area has played an important role and carried its own mission most of the time, which is also its historical value now.

The field trip included a visit to the Wuwei City Museum 

The successful conclusion of the trip was also the result of everyone working together. Through cooperation with each other, we completed one high-quality speech and academic report after another during the trip. The completion of these tasks is the result of everyone’s diligence and excellence. It lays a solid foundation for us to understand the local historical customs better in order to promote it in the future. This activity also enhanced our awareness of time planning and teamwork.

Students and staff travelled to Gansu during a summer field trip

My advice to students who want to participate in such activities is to make full preparations before the trip, make a good time plan, and actively communicate with the teachers and students leading the team so as not to consume unnecessary time costs during the trip. In the process of travelling, we should pay attention to the details of the scenic spots and think deeply about the connotations so as to bring a greater harvest.

The field trip was led by: Dr Emily Williams, Dr Jing Zhu, Dr Kan Li, and Dr Echo Wang.