Students inspired by Shanxi history, culture

Shanxi is a perfect combination of the old and new, and its traditional elements can inspire modern creativity. That was what students from Malaysia felt during their 12-day study tour of the North China province.

Thirty-three students from PIA, a vocational school in Malaysia's Perak region, together with their teachers, visited Shanxi from July 1-12 to learn about its history and culture, the modern creative industry and the latest developments in the vocational education industry.

The trip is a part of a Sino-Malaysian youth exchange and training program.

During July 3-10, the students toured Shanxi's famed places of historical interest, including the ancient city of Pingyao, the Xuankong Temple — or the Hanging Temple — in Hunyuan county, Sakyamuni Pagoda — or Wooden Pagoda — in Yingxian county and the Great Wall fortress of Yanmen Pass in Daixian county, as well as two of China's oldest Buddhist temples — Foguang and Nanchan in Wutai county.