Aimed to promote cultural exchange among youth, and deeply inherit the Hui-style intangible heritage of the Four Treasures of the Study, the 16th Hui Culture: Four Treasures of the Study was successfully held by Hefei University of Technology from June 30 to July 6. Over 20 students and staff from universities in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan joined this study tour, including facilitator Cheong Wai-Ian from MUST Student Affairs Office, alongside Guo Hui-Yi (FL) and Wang Zhuo-Rong (SLA). During the seven-day tour, participants deeply explored Anhui’s traditional craftmanship and Hui culture through hands-on experiences in making Xuan brushes, Hui ink, Xuan paper, and the She inkstones.
The core of the tour centered on deep, hands-on experiences with the Four Treasures of the Study. Participants visited the Xuanzhi Culture Park to try papermaking, and explored the Room of Three Rare Treasures to learn ancient bookbinding techniques. They also experienced gold-painting on Hui ink at the Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory, fully experiencing the traditional crafting techniques of these cultural treasures.
The study tour also covered natural and ancient architectural wonders. Participants hiked the Xiaoyao section of the Hui-Hang Ancient Trail, retracing the historic trade routes of Hui Merchants. They climbed the Mount Huangshan to appreciate the scholar aesthetics inspired by its landscapes, and explored Huizhou Ancient City. Wandering among Hui-style architecture, they delved into its underlying etiquette and aesthetics, experiencing the city’s unique cultural vibe both day and night.
Using the Four Treasures of the Study as a medium, this study tour built a bridge for cultural dialogues among youth from Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Over the seven-day itinerary, students experienced these cultural and ancient techniques in person. This immersive experience not only deepen their understanding upon China’s excellent traditional culture, but also strengthen their cultural identity through exchange and mutual learning, ensuring the spirit of Hui culture continues to thrive among the youth.
Provided by Wang Zhuo-rong (SLA)
