International Students Explore Canglang Pavilion, Suzhou’s Oldest Garden

What happens when a group of international students, fresh to the Chinese language, steps into Suzhou's oldest garden?

Recently, we took a group of XJTLU international students—most of whom are absolute beginners in Chinese—on a field trip to Canglang Pavilion. It wasn't just a sightseeing tour; it was a dialogue between classical aesthetics and language learning.

Led by the Suzhou Culture and Tourism Ambassador, Mr. Xudong Liu, the students first unlocked the mystery behind the name "Canglang." Derived from the ancient Songs of Chu, it refers to the legendary "Canglang waters" that can cleanse one's spirit. While the ancient poetry was a bit of a tongue-twister for beginners, the students captured the core essence: This is a place where the heart becomes as clear and peaceful as water.

As they wandered through the garden, the students were mesmerized by the "Huāchuāng" (ornamental windows). Each one is unique, never repeating its pattern.

This sparked a mini "Global Architecture Symposium" on the spot! Keren, a student from Mexico, excitedly shared that while her hometown has similar decorative windows, those in Canglang Pavilion are different: Every single pattern here has a hidden meaning. These windows aren't just "viewfinders" for the landscape; they are symbols of Chinese culture.

For these "Zero" beginners, the garden was their classroom. Pointing at the traditional furniture, Eugenio from Mexico practiced his brand-new vocabulary:

"Zhè shì zhuōzi, zhè shì yǐzi!" (This is a table, this is a chair!)

To make sure everyone got "hands-on" with the culture, the module leader Genying Yan designed a fun-filled Study Task Sheet. Students had to complete five "Level-Up" challenges.

After the exploration, the students took part in a workshop to handcraft "Leidousi" (ornamental window) fridge magnets. For them, these were more than just souvenirs; they were miniature, portable pieces of "Suzhou scenery." These magnets will serve as a lasting memento of their first encounter with Chinese aesthetics.

In this ancient, thousand-year-old garden, language was no longer a barrier—it became a bridge. From their very first "Nǐ hǎo" to the completion of their handcrafted magnets, the students truly felt the warmth of Chinese culture through their journey. Though they are just at the beginning of their language path, the wonder and curiosity shining in their eyes are the most touching moments of cultural exchange. This "treasure hunt" has only just begun.