Thirteen international students from Pakistan, Morocco, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Uganda recently visited Liaoning Cultural Heritage Protection Center to learn Chinese Guqin (a traditional plucked seven-stringed zither).

The Chinese Guqin was listed as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2003. As a representative provincial-level intangible cultural heritage project in Northeast China’s Liaoning province, the Chinese Guqin is known for its grandeur, vigor, free-flowing style and lingering charm. At the Liaoning Cultural Heritage Protection Center, Zhu Mohan, an inheritor of Guqin, introduced the international students to the structure, tone, and various styles of Guqin in different genres.

At the performance venue, famous classical musical pieces such as High Mountains and Flowing Waters, Mist and Cloud over Xiao-Xiang Rivers, Plum Blossom Melody in Three Variations and A Night of Flowers and Moonlight by the Spring River were transformed into delicate melodies at the fingertips of the performers. Each note resonated with history and culture that last thousands of years. The melodious sounds of Guqin led the international students through time and space to engage in a dialogue between the past and present, savor the unique charm of the ancient Chinese instrument, and appreciate the rich essence of Chinese culture.

 “Guqin music is not only a form of music, but also a window to get a glimpse of Chinese history and culture.” said Muhammad Dawood, a Pakistani international student studying in China, “Through this activity, I’ve learned that Guqin is one of the oldest plucked string instruments in China. It’s the first time my classmates and I have the opportunity to see a Guqin up close and get instructions on how to play it. This is a very unique Chinese cultural experience for us.”