Teachers Explore Sui and Tang Dynasties in Study Tour to Enhance Chinese History Education in Hong Kong

2026-07-08 18:42 Last Updated At：18:58

LCSD and EDB co-organise Shaanxi-Henan study tour to enhance secondary teachers' knowledge of Sui and Tang dynasties

Co-organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office (CCPO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Education Bureau (EDB), a teacher study tour to Shaanxi and Henan provinces focused on the civilisation of the Sui and Tang dynasties was held from June 27 to July 1. A group of 25 teachers from secondary schools visited major museums, archaeological sites and cultural institutions in Xi'an and Luoyang. With the strong support of the cultural heritage administrations of Shaanxi and Henan provinces, participating teachers were able to grasp more engaging and dynamic historical narratives, enrich their subject knowledge and broaden their teaching horizons through close observation of precious artefacts, professional explanations and exchanges with scholars and experts. The study tour further inspired them to adopt diverse teaching strategies, such as inquiry-based learning and interdisciplinary collaboration, while supporting classroom learning with experiential activities. These approaches will be of great benefit in enhancing students' interest in learning Chinese history.

Click to Gallery

LCSD and EDB co-organise Shaanxi-Henan study tour to enhance secondary teachers' knowledge of Sui and Tang dynasties Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

More Images

LCSD and EDB co-organise Shaanxi-Henan study tour to enhance secondary teachers' knowledge of Sui and Tang dynasties Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

During the five-day itinerary, the teachers visited various major museums in the two ancient capitals, including the Xi’an Museum, the Tang West Market Museum, the Shaanxi Archaeology Museum, the Shaanxi Histroy Museum, the Luoyang Museum, and the Sui-Tang Dynasties Grand Canal Cultural Museum, where experts, scholars, or experienced docents vividly recounted the stories behind the artefacts. The teachers viewed treasured Tang tomb murals and precious pieces from a hoard of the Tang dynasty unearthed in Hejia Village at the Shaanxi History Museum, and appreciated the national treasure Tang sancai (tri-colour) glazed black horse at the Luoyang Museum, of which only two survive nationwide.

Participating teachers also visited various archaeological sites. They learned more about the mausoleum architecture of Tang Emperor Taizong Li Shimin and historical anecdotes at the Zhaoling Mausoleum and Museum, and delved deep into the prosperity of the flourishing Tang dynasty; visited the Longmen Grottoes - a World Heritage Site and one of China's four great grotto complexes - marveled at magnificent religious stone-carved art, and found out the history of how the statues in the grottoes were looted and chiseled away. Teachers were immersed in Tang-style architecture at the Sui-Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park, such as the Ming Tang (Hall of Enlightenment) and Tian Tang (Heavenly Hall), built under China's only female emperor, Empress Wu Zetian, and soaked in imperial grandeur. They also visited the Dingdingmen Site Museum, which is built on the "central-axis" of the ancient Luoyang city, and witnessed the wisdom of ancient granary management at the Huiluo Granary Site.

Through lectures and workshops, teachers also gained insights into the latest museum resources and educational activities on the Chinese Mainland. They joined an embroidery craft workshop at the Tang West Market Museum to learn about traditional Chinese embroidery. At the Luoyang Museum, they took part in a theme-based experiential course on Tang sancai craftsmanship, where they learned the etiquette of the Tang dynasty and experienced makeup using huadian (forehead ornament) stickers. An expert shared insights on major national archaeological projects and the progress of cultural heritage conservation at a special lecture at the Shaanxi Archaeology Museum.

These experiences not only help teachers integrate museum elements into their classrooms, thereby enriching their teaching methods and content, but also empower the schools to design more inspiring study tours for students in the future. Ultimately, this will promote heritage education and enrich Hong Kong students' interest in learning Chinese history.

The study tour is one of the activities of the Chinese History and Culture - Train-the-Trainer Workshops, co-organised by the CCPO and the EDB, as well as the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. It is also an extension activity of the third exhibition of the General History of China Series, "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition. The exhibition, which will run until August 24 at the Hong Kong Museum of History, features a selection of over 165 sets of artefacts from Shaanxi and Hong Kong, of which 18 sets are grade-one national treasures. Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to seize this opportunity to visit.

LEAP East 2026 Launches in Hong Kong, Showcasing Global Innovation and Technology Collaboration

LEAP East 2026 opens to deepen I&T co-operation between Middle East and Hong Kong

LEAP East 2026 officially opened today (July 8) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, attended the opening ceremony alongside Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Alswaha, to welcome more than 35 000 participants in the conference, including 340 speakers and 450 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions.

In his remarks, Mr Chan welcomed the inaugural LEAP East to Hong Kong, marking the first LEAP conference held outside Saudi Arabia. He said the event underscored the deepening partnership between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, and highlighted Hong Kong's role as a unique gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland with the world. He is pleased to note that LEAP East will continue to be held in Hong Kong for the next three years.

Mr Chan outlined Hong Kong's strengths as an ideal base for innovation, including its common law system, strong intellectual property protection, free flow of capital, goods, talent and data, simple and low tax regime, and safe and stable business environment.

He set out three key strategies underpinning Hong Kong's innovation development: leveraging "Finance+" through vibrant capital markets, venture capital and private equity, and government investment support; advancing "AI+" by developing artificial intelligence as a strategic industry and applying it across sectors; and integrating technology, talent, education and industry through the Northern Metropolis and deeper collaboration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Mr Chan also invited Saudi and Gulf enterprises to use Hong Kong as an international fundraising and risk-management platform, and expressed HKSAR's commitment to further strengthening co-operation with Saudi Arabia in innovation, infrastructure, green technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and professional services. Mr Chan remarked that he plans to lead a delegation to Saudi Arabia again later this year, bringing leading companies in infrastructure, green tech, healthcare and advanced manufacturing, plus professionals in the finance, investment and professional services sector, to explore concrete projects and further partnership.

The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) is the Hong Kong Government Partner of LEAP East 2026. Professor Sun in his speech thanked Saudi Arabia for extending the technology conference to Hong Kong, recalling his 2024 visit to Riyadh that sparked I&T collaboration.

Professor Sun mentioned that Hong Kong is building a comprehensive I&T ecosystem with strategic focuses on life and health technologies, artificial intelligence and robotics, as well as advanced manufacturing and energy. He highlighted the city's strong R&D capabilities, for instance, the flagship InnoHK platform's 38 laboratories are in collaboration with over 30 top-notch research institutions from around the world. He also cited rapid digital infrastructure development, including the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, which is set to provide 180,000 PFLOPS of computing power by 2032 — a 36fold increase from the current level that will position Hong Kong as an international data hub. To accelerate R&D commercialisation and new industrialisation, the Government has committed over USD3.8 billion through three HK$10 billion funding schemes.

Professor Sun highlighted Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" for international exchanges. Emphasising Hong Kong's unparalleled advantages of strong support from the Motherland while remaining closely connected to the world under "one country, two systems," he positioned the city as an ideal gateway for both Mainland enterprises going global and Saudi and Middle Eastern firms accessing Chinese and other Asian markets, reaffirming Hong Kong's readiness to partner globally for a sustainable, innovative future.

After the opening ceremony, Mr Chan and Professor Sun toured the LEAP East's exhibition and visited the Hong Kong Pavilion. Professor Sun also met with Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Alswaha, to exchange views on I&T collaborations between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.

The three-day LEAP East 2026 will be held from July 8 to 10, featuring a diverse range of technological fields including artificial intelligence, deep tech, smart cities, and new energy industries. The event aims to build an integrated ecosystem for investors and startups and to promote cross-border industrial collaboration. The ITIB set up the Hong Kong Pavilion to showcase the I&T development and achievements of Hong Kong.

Teachers Explore Sui and Tang Dynasties in Study Tour to Enhance Chinese History Education in Hong Kong

HK