In celebration of this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, over 80 international students from Shanghai University, representing more than 40 countries, visited the 1876 New Vision industrial park on Sept 15.

During their visit to the park – located in Baoshan district, they attended a lecture on traditional Chinese blue and white porcelain, explored the cultural significance of Mid-Autumn Festival and learned about China's impressive lunar exploration achievements.

Originally a logistics warehouse, the 1876 New Vision industrial park has been transformed into a multifaceted hub featuring an art museum, an arts center, performance space, fashion stores and a home for innovative tech companies.

The transformation has attracted numerous business enterprises in the science, technology and cultural industries – offering a platform for cultural exchanges and innovative entrepreneurship.

After touring the park, the students attended a lecture at the art museum on traditional Chinese blue and white porcelain. The lecture covered the development and characteristics of the porcelain from the Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279), Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties – combining an art appreciation session with historical and philosophical education.

Following the lecture, the students engaged in discussions about Mid-Autumn Festival traditions, performed songs from their own countries and in the process deepened their understanding of cultural exchanges.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of China's four major traditional festivals. This year, it was celebrated on Sept 17, with the holiday spanning from Sept 15-17.

Source: SHU College of International Education