Chongqing, as a cutting-edge center of innovation and development in southwest China, has become a popular destination for college-age visitors from Taiwan seeking engaging educational opportunities during summer vacation.
A number of cross-Strait exchange activities were held in the city from July 15 to 23. Teachers and students from 12 universities on the island, as well as five universities on the mainland, took part in a New Media Innovation Camp.
The teachers and students visited Changan Automobile's Global R&D to observe the latest in automotive technology, as well as Yubei Longxing General Aviation Airport, where they learned about the low-altitude flight industry.
Students said they gained powerful insights through this immersive and on-site teaching method.
"I feel that the mainland, especially Chongqing, is very futuristic. And I don't hear much noise from the cars on the road. The cars here are very advanced. I have never been this close to a helicopter before, so it's very interesting," said Lai Shao-jun, a student from Taiwan's Takming University of Science and Technology.
The students also experienced the cultural heritage of the municipality, visiting the World Heritage Site of Dazu Rock Carvings and checking in at the Chongqing Jialing River Cableway Museum.
They also saw the Eling Second Factory Cultural and Creative Park, a site that blends industrial history with modern trends in art and culture. Many of the students were looking forward to visiting this site because it was recently featured in one of the hottest memes on social media in which a foreign vlogger asks whether a site is "city or not city" in a humorous evaluation of its attractiveness for urban tourists.
"I feel that Chongqing is now an emerging Internet celebrity city, and everyone says it's an 8D magical city. Yesterday, we experienced traditional Chinese clothing, put on beautiful makeup and hairstyles, wore Hanfu, Ming Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, and other costumes, and watched very beautiful performances, so the overall feeling was very pleasant," said Liu Yu-chien, a student from National Taipei University on the island.
Crucially, the event allowed young people from across the Strait to experience, record, and create beautiful works showcasing Chongqing's unique charm from the perspective of new media practitioners.
"Social media management is becoming a trend worldwide, so I think this is the biggest purpose we're here. We’ve learned a lot about how to make reels, make vlogs, and also [learned about] theories. This is my first time here and I’m really excited about it," said Sun Dian, a student from the island's Tamkang University.
"Most students in this generation have basically grown up with mobile phones, so shooting videos is a daily routine for many of them. Clearly, they are deeply involved with their lenses, allowing them to capture their feelings about Chongqing and the Chinese mainland with their cameras. I think this is a very important life experience for Taiwan students," said Yu Tzu-hsiang, a professor at Taiwan's Shih Hsin University.
Meanwhile, the 21st Taiwan Youth Thousand-Person Summer Camp organized by the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, took place from July 11 to 17 in Chongqing. It included thematic cultural lectures, artistic performances, and other fellowship and exchange activities in various museums. A series of visits and activities allowed the Taiwan university students to feel the unique charm of the city.
"This is my first time coming to Chongqing to participate in this event. I hope I can meet more new friends at this exchange and learn more about the culture and history of the mainland," said Chien Yen-lun, a student from Taiwan's Asia University.
Over the past ten years, more than 5,400 Taiwan compatriots have applied for Taiwan Resident Permits in Chongqing. The city has attracted a total of 819 Taiwan-funded enterprises in ten years.
According to official figures, more than 88,000 tourists from Taiwan entered the city in the first half of 2024, making it the top source of tourists.
Southwest China city becomes illuminating destination for Taiwan students
