- Community
During this splendid autumn season, our Lower School Mandarin Department organized a cultural excursion for all staff members. Our destination for this trip was the historic city of Meicheng, renowned for its millennium-old heritage.
Our first stop was the historic town center of Meicheng, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant atmosphere. The ancient town offers a diverse array of snacks and numerous shops, inviting exploration. Our teachers embraced a leisurely pace, immersing themselves in the local culture and artistry of this historic locale.
The town features picturesque buildings reflected in the water, and elegant bridges spanning the waves. To further connect with the region's heritage, our teachers donned traditional costumes representing county officials, prefects, and generals and participated in a "prefectural patrol" to experience traditional customs firsthand.
Following a delightful local lunch, our teachers engaged in the exploration of the intangible cultural heritage known as the ‘Nine Surnames Fishermen's Wedding Custom.’
According to legend, during the Ming Dynasty, a military unit that failed to resist Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was exiled to live on the water. Over the centuries, this community developed a distinct way of life and unique cultural practices.
The ‘wedding on board’ ceremony encompasses various rituals, including ‘welcoming the bride,’ ‘presenting the dowry,’ ‘sharing rice with the bride,’ ‘carrying a wooden basin and sedan chair,’ ‘seeing the bride off,’ and ‘meeting the parents-in-law at the bow of the boat to worship heaven and earth.’ Our teachers enthusiastically participated in this captivating series of wedding customs while dressed in traditional wedding attire.
After exploring the captivating fishing village, we took advantage of the beautiful autumn weather to pick seasonal oranges. Upon entering the orchard, we were greeted by lush orange trees, with golden oranges dangling from the branches like small lanterns, glistening enticingly in the sunlight.
Teachers and their children moved among the trees, their laughter resonating throughout the orchard. The experience of picking an orange by hand—feeling its sun-warmed skin and inhaling its natural aroma—was truly rewarding. As we gently peeled the fruit open, a delightful sweet and sour fragrance filled the air. Our trip concluded with everyone gathering a bountiful harvest, leaving us all with a sense of happiness and rich experiences.