On May 22, as a key component of the "Discovering Chinese Civilization in Hangzhou" international communication campaign, the "When Artifacts Speak" museum night tour was held in Xixi Wetland. Representative international students from multiple countries were invited to visit the National Wetland Museum of China and the historical and cultural landscape belt of Xixi Wetland, experiencing the long-standing and profound nature of Chinese civilization as the scenery changed with every step.

Co-organized by the Hangzhou International Network Communication Center and Zhejiang University of Technology, this event aimed to innovate the narrative style of cultural artifacts and museums. Through the format of "Museum Night Tour + Curator's Guided Tour + Immersive Cultural Walk," it sought to bring precious artifacts and cultural heritage to "life," promoting the global dissemination of Chinese civilization and cross-cultural exchange.

Setting Sail in the Wetland: From Natural Ecology to Human History

First, the international students stepped into the National Wetland Museum of China. Led by professional guides and curators, they visited the ecological and cultural exhibitions, learning about Xixi Wetland's unique poetic landscape of "mist-shrouded meandering streams" and its symbiotic relationship with Hangzhou's urban development. The museum's rich collection of flora and fauna specimens, interactive installations, and stories regarding wetland protection and utilization provided the students with an intuitive understanding of Hangzhou's ecological wisdom of "harmony between humanity and nature."

A Cultural Walk Through Xixi: Tangible Heritage at Every Step

After finishing the museum tour, the students took a sightseeing vehicle to Shentankou. Along the way, the rippling clear waters and lush vegetation of Xixi's early summer scenery prompted everyone to frequently raise their phones to capture the moments. At Shentankou, they paused to listen to historical tales of Xixi's scull boats and traditional local life. Subsequently, they entered the Hangzhou Dai Dunbang Art Communication Center, experiencing the humanity and local customs depicted in traditional Chinese art.

Continuing along Hezhu Street, the students visited the Dragon Boat Exhibition Hall to understand the traditional charm of Xixi dragon boat racing. They took group photos in front of the white wall inscribed with the famous historical quote, "Xixi, a place to stay," and stepped into the Sanshen Assembly Hall to feel the era's memories carried by the old architecture. From wetland ecology to traditional folk customs, and then to historical buildings, every step felt like a dialogue with Hangzhou's millennium-old cultural lineage.

Resonating on the Night Tour: Artifacts "Speak" and Civilizations Connect

Later, the students took the sightseeing vehicle to Guomai Bookstore at the North Gate to learn about the bird species in Xixi Wetland. Several students expressed that this event took them out of the classroom and into authentic historical scenes. Not only did they see the achievements of China's museum and cultural heritage protection, but they also tangibly felt Chinese civilization's pursuit of harmony, inclusiveness, and cultural continuity.

It turns out that cultural artifacts are not merely displayed in glass cabinets; their stories are deeply hidden in old streets, traditional dragon boats, and even on a simple white wall. We will continue to tell the stories of Hangzhou and China to the world, promoting global cultural exchange and mutual learning among civilizations.