Recently, the "2026 U.S. Teachers and Students China Tour", organized by Deno International Education Consultant, came to a successful close. Over the course of a several-week immersive study tour, a delegation of teachers and students from Utah, USA, visited four distinctive Chinese cities – Beijing,
Xi'an, Chengdu, and Zhangjiajie. This journey was not merely a shift in geographic location, but a vivid practice of mutual civilizational learning, and a deep intellectual and emotional exchange between Chinese and American youth.

Beijing: Where Modern Technology Meets an Ancient Capital

The first leg of the itinerary was the capital city, Beijing. The American delegation visited 91 Technology Group, gaining firsthand insight into China's development momentum and innovation ecosystem in the
high-tech sector. Subsequently, the group ascended the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall, wandered through the red walls and golden tiles of the Forbidden City, explored the blend of industrial heritage and avant-garde art at the 798 Art District, and stopped by the Beijing Olympic Park to reflect
on the glory of the 2008 and 2022 Olympics. The Beijing leg juxtaposed historical depth with modern achievements, allowing the American delegation to intuitively grasp the cultural foundations of China's modernization – that is, to innovate boldly while preserving tradition, and to move forward with openness and inclusiveness.

The school exchange at Xi'an Shiyou University was the centerpiece of the study tour. The American delegation was received with great honor and a warm welcome by the university administration. A formal welcome ceremony was arranged. The American guests toured the campus and key laboratories. At the experimental centers for specialized disciplines such as petroleum engineering and geological exploration, faculty members introduced the university's research progress and educational achievements in the energy sector. The advanced laboratory equipment and student research projects gave the American delegation a tangible appreciation of the academic strength of Chinese higher education. They also participated in hands-on cultural workshops on calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, and classical musical instruments, deeply experiencing the openness and humanistic warmth of China's higher education institutions.

Strolling along the ancient city wall of Xi'an allowed the delegation to sense the spatial fabric of this millennia-old capital through cycling and walking. At the brilliantly lit Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City, the teachers and students donned traditional Tang-style costumes and wandered amidst the dazzling lights, as if traveling back to the glorious era when "ten thousand nations came to court" during the Tang Dynasty. At the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, the two-thousand-year-old imperial army inspired awe in all who beheld it. The lively bazaar atmosphere of the Muslim Quarter and the morning and evening bells of the Drum Tower offered them a taste of the vibrant daily life of this ancient city.

Chengdu: The Slow-Paced Life of Bashu and a Panda Encounter

The Chengdu leg also included a school visit, this time to Dujiangyan Experimental High School, where the American delegation was warmly received by the faculty and students. Chinese and American students studied calligraphy together, practiced Tai Chi, and collaborated on handicraft projects, engaging in a heart-to-heart dialogue that transcended language barriers.

The delegation made a special trip to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, where the ancient Chinese philosophical wisdom of "following the laws of nature" drew admiration from the American guests. The visit to the Giant Panda Conservation Base also sparked shared interest in global biodiversity conservation. Additionally, cultural activities such as watching the Sichuan opera "face-changing" performance, wearing traditional qipao (cheongsam), savoring hotpot, and experiencing ear-cleaning (a local folk custom) allowed the participants to immerse themselves in the humanistic essence behind Chengdu's famed "slow life."