NANJING, Jan. 15: Against the backdrop of emerging Spring Festival decorations, around 15 international students from Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Ghana embarked on a cultural journey through Nanjing’s historic Xuanwu district on Jan 14 to experience firsthand the convergence of ancient traditions and modern urban life.
Located in central Nanjing, Xuanwu district is known for its rich historical and cultural heritage, including the scenic Xuanwu Lake-a centuries-old imperial garden lake that has become a symbol of the city’s harmony between urban life and the natural landscape.
The event began with an immersive workshop on Nanjing paper cutting, an intricate craft recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. Under the guidance of a municipal-level inheritor, students learned about the art’s history and symbolism before progressing from basic folding and cutting techniques to creating delicate designs such as window flowers, playful pandas, and the auspicious pattern of a homophone meaning “good fortune arrives immediately,” featuring a horse motif especially meaningful as this new year marks the Chinese Year of the Horse, China Economic Net reported. For Saba Malik, a Pakistani PhD candidate in environmental science and engineering at Nanjing University, the workshop offered a meaningful connection to her own cultural background. “I recorded the tutor’s techniques to share with friends and their children back home,” she explained. “In Pakistan, many women practice similar intricate handiwork, though typically on fabric using needle and thread. This art form could inspire new creative expressions in our communities.” Shoaib Ahmad, also from Pakistan and set to graduate next month, tried his hand at paper cutting twice, each time feeling more connected to the craft. “It’s a wonderfully creative technical art,” he reflected. “Doing this right before the Spring Festival, with lanterns already glowing across the city, you truly feel the warmth and positive energy of the season.”
Shoaib Ahmad, who has spent three Spring Festivals since coming to China, further highlighted the broader importance of such exchanges. “Pakistan is also a land of skilled crafts. Activities like these do more than create bonds – they strengthen them. For us, and especially for women, this opens a new field of creativity and potential opportunity back home.”
Following the paper cutting session, the group embarked on a reflective walk around Xuanwu Lake. For Saba Malik, the experience is deeply connected to her academic focus. “As an environmental science student, seeing how a city embraces its natural landscape is inspiring. The lake isn’t just scenery – it’s part of the ecological and cultural identity of the city.”
The program concluded with an educational lecture on the origins of animal life and the Cambrian explosion, providing students with insights into Earth’s ancient biological history – a fitting complement to a day dedicated to exploring heritage, creativity and intercultural dialogue.
