On October 23, a group of 30 young students from Taiwan concluded their enlightening trip to Gansu. In just a few days, these teenagers experienced the evolution of Gansu’s ancient culture and heard numerous stories of cross-strait exchanges. They also established a pact with their local peers, promising to meet again in the future. As one student put it, “I definitely want to come back to this wonderful place, and I hope you’ll have the opportunity to visit Taiwan as well.”

During their visit from October 18 to 23, the Taiwanese students engaged in a meaningful study tour, dubbed “Cultural Connections: Youth on the Silk Road,” at the First High School of Pingliang City. They participated in one-on-one exchanges with local students to learn about each other’s educational environments and lifestyles. Their itinerary included visits to the Dadiwan Archaeological Site, the Fuxi Temple, the renowned Maijishan Grottoes, and the breathtaking autumn landscapes of Kongtong Mountain. They also had the chance to explore the Qihuang Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Museum and the Zhou Ancestor Tomb, immersing themselves in the richness of traditional Chinese culture.

Reflecting on her summer experience in Taiwan this past August, Zheng Yiting, a student from Jingning No. 1 High School in Gansu, reminisced, “We went to Ximen Ding, enjoyed street performances, and drank bubble tea together. We explored night markets, tasted snacks, and had fun at Tamsui Old Street, playing marbles and watching the sunset over the sea.”

Wang Junren, one of the Taiwanese students, shared his excitement upon arriving at the school in Pingliang. “As soon as the bus stopped, I recognized familiar faces from my previous trips to Taiwan. It felt great to reunite! We talked about our campus life and even played friendly basketball games.”

Conversely, Taiwanese student Lan Qian had a first-time encounter with a local peer. Despite this being their initial meeting, they quickly found a connection. “Thanks to my buddy for generously showing me around the campus, which helped me adjust quickly. We exchanged contact information and hope for more exchanges between students from both sides in the future,” he noted with enthusiasm.

The Taiwanese students were particularly drawn to a collection of creative cultural products inspired by Gansu’s thousand-year heritage, including colorful pottery refrigerator magnets, four-god bagua mirrors, handmade embroidered sachets, and Kongtong Mountain bracelets. Chen Zhiqin expressed his delight, saying, “I bought over ten small items; some are for keepsakes, while others are for my family and friends. They’re both practical and beautiful.” Before leaving the Fuxi Temple, he also took a pinch of incense ash, as a tribute to the revered cultural ancestor.

Since 2014, Gansu’s Tianshui City and Taiwan have committed to jointly holding the Fuxi Memorial Ceremony each year. Additionally, Tianshui’s Jingtu Temple has been renovated thanks to donations from Taiwanese devotees, and the Xi Wangmu Palace in Pingliang received funding for restoration from Taiwan. These historical connections resonate with the students, highlighting the ongoing friendship between the two regions.

As they departed Gansu, the locals gifted the young Taiwanese visitors with apples symbolizing peace and safety. The students couldn’t help but express their sentiments: “Gansu, we will definitely come back!”

This moment solidifies the youthful agreement across the strait, promising future connections to come.