To deepen international students' understanding of China's and Tianjin's urban development and planning concepts while immersing them in Tianjin's profound historical heritage and modern metropolitan charm, SIE recently organized a unique cultural experience. Students from over 10 countries participated in a cultural exchange at the Tianjin Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, fostering intellectual dialogue and cultural interaction.
Located along the banks of the Haihe River and hailed as the “city's reception hall,” the Tianjin Urban Planning Exhibition Hall serves as a vital window showcasing Tianjin's past, present, and future. On the day of the event, guided by docents, the international students embarked on an immersive “urban exploration journey” traversing Tianjin's historical, contemporary, and future landscapes.
First Stop: Tracing History, Sensing the City's Cultural Heritage
Entering the “Urban Timeline Corridor” exhibition zone, a historical panorama unfolded, depicting Tianjin's origins by the river and its rise through the port. Captivated by exquisite historical maps, vintage photographs, and physical models, the students listened intently and paused frequently to ask questions. Their journey spanned over 600 years of Tianjin's founding history, through the architectural landscapes of concession-era buildings reflecting “a century of tumultuous events in Tianjin” during modern China, to the industrial glory following the founding of New China. Od from Nigeria remarked, “I've always loved the old buildings while strolling along the Five Avenues. Today, learning their historical stories systematically here was truly awe-inspiring. Tianjin's history and culture are far richer than I imagined.”
Second Stop: Overlooking the Present, Marveling at Modern Tianjin
The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly the “Master Plan Model of Tianjin's Central Urban Area” at the exhibition hall's core. As the students ascended the viewing platform to gaze down at the massive sand table model—spanning hundreds of square meters and crafted at a 1:1000 scale—they erupted in waves of awe. As the light show synchronized with the promotional video, Tianjin's grand spatial strategy of “dual cities, dual ports, and coordinated expansion” became immediately apparent. Aya from Morocco exclaimed excitedly, “This model is spectacular! It allowed me to clearly see the location of my university, the commercial districts I frequent, and the entire city's transportation network. I now have a more comprehensive and three-dimensional understanding of Tianjin's urban structure.”
Third Stop: Envisioning the Future, Appreciating the Grand Blueprint
In the Tianjin Future Planning exhibition area, the international students learned about Tianjin's ambitious blueprint for its own development and integration with the global community. Through the VR dynamic demonstration of Tianjin Port's maritime shipping routes displayed in the hall, they intuitively felt the dynamic pulse connecting Tianjin to the world. Simultaneously, their deep dive into Tianjin's future plans left them awestruck by the city's cutting-edge development, fostering a tangible appreciation for China's global leadership in science, technology, culture, and beyond. Nana, a student from Mali, reflected after the experience: "These tangible scientific advancements make the ‘future’ feel within reach. Tianjin's planning concepts for ecological conservation, smart transportation, and sustainable development are remarkably advanced, offering valuable insights for my field of study."
This visit served not only as a feast for the eyes and mind but also as a successful cross-cultural exchange. It provided international students from diverse cultural backgrounds with a vivid classroom experience to understand China, Tianjin's urban development model, and witness the achievements of China's modernization efforts.
Moving forward, our university will steadfastly uphold the international education philosophy of “education as the foundation, culture as the bridge.” We will continue to deepen and broaden experiential learning, meticulously designing and organizing more practice-oriented teaching activities rich in educational substance and cultural warmth. With greater openness and innovative approaches, we will guide international students to walk, observe, and reflect on the authentic landscape of China, empowering them to grow into China-savvy, and love for China. The university remains committed to building bridges for mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations, planting seeds of peace, development, and win-win cooperation in the hearts of international students, and pooling youthful energy to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.
