On July 26, “Experiencing China, Charming Liaoning” 2023 International Students’ Tour to Liaoning was held in Benxi. Twenty-five international students from Liaoning University participated in the activity and they came from six countries including Pakistan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Russia, Guinea, and Zambia. They not only watched the making process of the national intangible cultural heritage, but also experienced the beauty of Chinese culture of ink brush, inkstick, paper, and inkstone by learning to draw traditional Chinese paintings.

The international students visited Benxi Zixiatang Songhua Inkstone Museum and watched the process of kaiyan, which is a part of the skill of making Songhua Inkstone, a national intangible cultural heritage project. This is their first time to know the making of Chinese inkstones. Amjad, an international student from Pakistan, said, “ It’s amazing that a stone can grind ink which is used to write and draw.” “I admire the prowess of the craftsmen in Liaoning. Chinese traditional culture is very attractive, and I will seize the opportunity to experience and know more about it.” 

Calligraphers and painters in Benxi personally taught international students Chinese calligraphy and painting skills. They learned from the teachers earnestly, painted bamboo and pandas with great interest, and experienced the unique charm of Chinese calligraphy and paintings in every stroke.