BOCOG invited students from China's quake-hit region to Beijing last week to get a first-hand taste of Olympic culture in commemoration of Children's Day, which fell on June 1.

Students from earthquake-hit Sichuan province visit the "Bird's Nest" last week. [China Daily]

Some 20 students from Wenchuan and Beichuan enjoyed a three-day tour of the capital, during which time they attended a national flag-raising ceremony, visited several Olympic venues and planted trees to pray for their hometown, which was ravaged by the May 12 temblor.

The students' trip to the iconic "Bird's Nest" left a deep impression on many of them.

"I like the stadium's steel framework. Steel provides the support for the whole building, just like the persevering spirit of the Chinese people has supported those of us who experienced the disaster," said Jiang Zhenyu, a student from Beichuan Middle School.

"I'm very happy today since I saw the Bird's Nest in person," said Jiang's schoolmate Jia Guowei, who was pulled from the remains of the school. "I never thought I'd be so close to it. The feeling of realizing my dream is very good."

Some Olympic champions and other stars joined the students, including China's fist Winter Olympic gold medalist Yang Yang, shooting champion Yang Ling, and Taiwanese singer Richie Jen.

The students also toured China's renowned Tsinghua and Peking universities.

At Tsinghua, they were taught to make sculptures. One of their creations has a pair of wings and is named "Wings of the Future".

Wang Peibo, a professor at the sculpting department of Tsinghua University, said: "This represents the kindling of the flame of life, and the spreading of the wings of desire."

Encouraged by the preparations for the upcoming Olympics, the students pledged to study diligently despite the hardship they have endured.

"Sichuan people always shout 'stand up' in our dialect to stay strong during the hard times and now we want to shout it in front of the Olympic venue," said a physical education teacher from Sichuan. "Please trust us that we will rebuild our hometown."

To conclude their trip, the students presented BOCOG with a special banner.

Bearing the Olympic slogan of "One World One Dream," the white banner had the autographs of students and teachers from the school devastated by the 8-magnitude earthquake.

"This banner is unique and through it we see a promising future for Beichuan School," said Wang Pingjiu, a BOCOG official who accepted the gift.