With brisk breezes permeating the air in early autumn, international freshmen at Liaoning University have embarked on a new life in Shenyang City, capital of Liaoning Province. At the first class of the new school year, they participated in the cultural experience event of “Artistic Depiction of Hongshan Culture” hosted by the Liaoning International Communication Center, to learn traditional Chinese incense making techniques in the intangible cultural heritage class, and understand the Hongshan culture by making jade pig-shaped dragon incense pendants.

At the Shenyang Dongbi Tingxiang Incense Making Studio, Li Xia, an inheritor of traditional Chinese incense making techniques, displayed the Niuheliang Site Picture Album to the students, introducing to them the jade pig-shaped dragon and the C-shaped jade dragon excavated from the Hongshan Culture Site. Not far away, the incense pendants with the shape of the two cultural relics, which are made of agilawood and sandalwood paste and were crafted by Li Xia, also fascinated the students.

Amid the melodious sound of guqin and delicate fragrance wafting in the air, the international students were immersed in the rich Chinese culture, and impressed by the time-honored artistic glamor of traditional Chinese incense making techniques. Under the guidance of Li Xia, they blended sandalwood powder, agilawood powder and clay powder with water to make incense paste, and kneaded the paste into balls in their hands. After half an hour of letting stand, they put the incense balls into molds to compact them. Although this was their first time to engage in traditional Chinese incense making techniques, the students quickly mastered the basics. The final step of demolding was the most captivating moment. They gently opened the molds, rejoicing over drawing out the lovable jade pig-shaped dragon incense pendants.

Sambou Marie Christine, an international student from Confucius Institute at the University of Dakar, Senegal established in collaboration with Liaoning University, said, “This is my first Chinese culture class after I came to Liaoning. Making jade pig-shaped dragon incense pendants by applying traditional Chinese incense making techniques lets me understand the Hongshan culture, and also arouses my passion for learning Liaoning’s history and culture. It is really meaningful.”