Rural revitalization through global eyes

Between the majestic mountains of the Nujiang Grand Canyon in Yunnan province, the river flows swiftly and the green hills stretch endlessly. A group of young people — diverse in languages and cultural backgrounds — traverse this landscape, not only captivated by its beauty but also deeply engaging with the local community.

These international students from Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) come from Canada, Russia, Belarus, France, Mongolia, South Korea, Cameroon, and the Republic of the Congo.

From March 31 to April 1, they traveled to the Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture to participate in a national educational practice program, where they learned about China's path to rural revitalization and witnessed vivid examples of targeted poverty alleviation.

Located on Yunnan's border with Myanmar, the area is known for its ethnic diversity and ecological richness. It is home to dozens of ethnic groups, including the Dulong and Lisu, who have lived here for generations.

The students visited villages of the Lisu, Nu, and Dulong peoples, immersing themselves in traditional handicrafts, ethnic dances, and folk ceremonies, while gaining an appreciation for local cultural preservation efforts.

"The beauty of Nujiang is breathtaking — its endless mountains and rushing waters far exceeded my imagination," said Gao Rita, 20, from Canada, who has lived in China for six years. "I thought rural China would be more isolated, but the development and vitality here really opened my eyes."