Building Cultural Bridges: Swedish "Chinese Bridge" Students Explore Nanjing and Shanghai

From April 10 to 12, 2026, a group of Swedish students from the "Chinese Bridge" program at Shanghai Jiao Tong University embarked on a three-day cultural study tour of Nanjing and Shanghai. The journey wove together ancient landmarks, revolutionary memorials, classical gardens, and modern skyscrapers, offering the students a firsthand experience of the dynamic interplay between China’s past and present, and a tangible sense of its rich heritage and contemporary vitality.

The first two days were dedicated to Nanjing. The group first visited the Niushou Mountain Scenic Area, experiencing the fusion of traditional culture and innovative architecture. At the Nanjing Presidential Palace, renowned as a "museum of modern Chinese history," students and faculty traced the nation's pivotal transition from feudal monarchy to a republic. The following day, they paid tribute at Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, reflecting on modern China's quest for national independence and progress. Walking atop the ancient Ming City Wall offered a direct appreciation of the grandeur and engineering ingenuity of China's past. The itinerary also included a solemn visit to the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, where the group confronted the tragedies of war with a profound respect for history and humanity, reinforcing the universal value of peace.

The delegation then traveled to Shanghai for urban cultural immersion. Students explored the classical elegance of Yuyuan Garden, a masterpiece of Jiangnan landscape design, and witnessed China's modern achievements firsthand amidst the skyscrapers of the Lujiazui financial district. During the trip, the students also sampled local delicacies and enjoyed a traditional Chinese acrobatics performance, experiencing the diversity of Chinese culture from multiple perspectives.

This Shanghai-Nanjing tour formed a core component of the "Chinese Bridge" program's "Walking Classroom" initiative. Moving beyond textbook learning, the on-site visits enabled students to connect classroom vocabulary and historical knowledge with real-world contexts. This approach not only enhanced their practical Chinese language skills but also provided an intuitive understanding of China's continuum from historical legacy to modern development, and the harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernity.

The field study significantly deepened the Swedish students' understanding of Chinese history, culture, and societal development. Moving forward, the school will continue leveraging high-quality platforms like "Chinese Bridge" to organize diverse international exchange activities. This aims to enable more overseas youth to gain an in-depth understanding of Chinese culture and foster deeper, more substantive mutual learning and cooperation between China and the world.

Photos and story by: Zhu Yi