On November 4, 2023, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development organized one cultural study tour called Fengjing Walk. The purpose of the event was to promote cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world and to give international students a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China's history, culture and contemporary social development.

Figure 1: IESD Group Photo

In this event, 59 international students from 30 countries came together to participate in this cultural study tour. The first stop of the activity was to visit the Farmer Painting Village in Fengjing Ancient Town. Fengjing Ancient Town attracts a lot of attention with its strong cultural atmosphere and unique artistic style. Farmers' painters here created peasant paintings rich in local flavor and unique artistic style, which reflected the harmonious and peaceful life of traditional Chinese peasant families. The international students watched the whole process of creating and mounting the paintings and enjoyed some of the best paintings. Through these paintings, they gained an in-depth understanding of the development of China's new countryside.

Figure 2: Visit to Peasant Painting Village

In the afternoon, the students went into the former site of the People's Commune. The people's commune is a special product of modern Chinese history, reflecting the historical style and social development of that era. In this special place, the students walked into the compound of the People's Commune as if they had traveled back to that era. They saw all kinds of slogans, commune offices restored and preserved in their original form at that time, meeting rooms and other items of historical significance. In the process of listening to the explanation, the students deeply realized the true meaning of China's red cultural heritage.

Figure 3: Visit to the former site of the People's Commune

The Cultural Study Tour of Fengjing Ancient Town not only gave international students an in-depth understanding of the local historical and cultural changes in Shanghai, but also a deeper study and appreciation of Chinese customs, folk culture and the development of contemporary society. This activity strengthened the international students' sense of identification with Chinese culture and gave them a deeper understanding of and respect for Chinese culture. It also demonstrated the positive role and influence of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development in promoting cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world once again . It not only provided a rare opportunity for international students to experience culture, but also laid a solid foundation for promoting Chinese and foreign cultural exchanges and enhancing mutual understanding.