Longtai teenagers went to the -Youth Appointment- together_1
On October 23, the journey of 30 teenagers from Taiwan through Gansu came to a close. Over just a few days, the young visitors experienced the vibrant evolution of Gansu’s ancient culture, heard many stories of cross-strait exchanges, and made a heartfelt pact with local peers: “Youthful rendezvous, we will meet again.” As they expressed, “I will definitely come back to such a wonderful place, and I hope you all get the chance to visit Taiwan as well.”
From October 18 to 23, the “Cross-Strait Youth Cultural Exchange: A Journey in Gansu” program allowed the Taiwanese students to interact one-on-one with local high school students, sharing insights into each other’s learning environments and lifestyles at Pingliang First High School. They also visited significant sites such as the Dadiwan ruins, the Fuxi Temple, the Maijishan Grottoes, and the scenic Kongtong Mountain during the autumn, while also exploring the Qihuang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum and the Zhou Ancestor Tomb, immersing themselves in the charm of traditional Chinese culture.
Recalling her trip to Taiwan during summer break in August, Zheng Yiting, a student from Jingning First High School in Gansu, shared her memories with enthusiasm: “We went to Ximending, enjoyed the Red House, watched street performances, and drank bubble tea; we explored night markets, savored shaved ice, and sampled local delicacies; we visited Tamsui Old Street, played games, watched the sunset by the sea, and felt the warm evening breeze.”
In an interview with China News Service, Taiwanese student Wang Junren recounted his arrival in Pingliang: “As soon as our bus pulled up to the school, I saw familiar faces of friends I had met in Taiwan. We were thrilled to reunite after such a long time, chatting about the campus, sharing study methods, playing basketball together, and having friendly matches in table tennis. We only parted ways when night fell.”
For fellow Taiwanese student Lan Qian, the first meeting with his local counterpart felt as if they had known each other for years. They shook hands and embraced, walking toward the school with a brotherly camaraderie. “I’m grateful to my partner for warmly inviting me to explore the campus, which helped me adjust quickly. We exchanged contact information and hope for more exchanges between students from both sides in the future,” he said.
The young Taiwanese travelers were especially fond of local creative products, such as Dadiwan pottery refrigerator magnets, mirror decorations featuring the Eight Diagrams, handmade embroidery pouches from Qingyang, and Kongtong Mountain bracelets. “I bought over ten small items; some will serve as souvenirs, while others I’ll gift to family and friends. They’re both practical and beautiful,” remarked Taiwanese student Chen Zhiqin as he left the Fuxi Temple, taking with him a small amount of incense ash as a mark of respect for his cultural ancestor.
Since 2014, Gansu’s Tianshui and Taiwan have held annual ceremonies to jointly honor Fuxi. Local temples have also received support from Taiwanese communities for repairs and renovations, fostering a deep historical connection that resonates strongly with the students from both regions.
As they bid farewell to Gansu, local students gifted the Taiwanese group apples, symbolizing safety and well-being. The Taiwanese youth reflected, “Gansu, we will definitely come back!”
And so, the promise made between the young people from both sides endures.
