Students attending the camp learn about Chinese calligraphy works. [Photo/Nankai University]

More than a dozen young participants from the United States and Canada explored China's cultural heritage in Hangzhou, during a cultural exchange camp on Chinese literary classics.

Held from July 16 to 17 under the guidance of China's Ministry of Education, the program took participants to Longwu tea town, where they learned about Chinese poetry, traditional tea culture and ancient porcelain restoration.

At a ceramic restoration museum, the students examined Song Dynasty (960-1279) porcelain and tried repairing broken ceramic pieces using traditional techniques. They also joined tea-making workshops, practiced pan-frying fresh tea leaves, and watched a traditional tea ceremony in Waitongwu village.

"I had only read about porcelain and tea culture before. Experiencing them firsthand made everything come alive," said Li Erya from the United States.

The camp also included visits to the West Lake and Xixi National Wetland Park, giving participants a broader appreciation of Hangzhou's blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Students learn the finer points of picking tea leaves. [Photo/Nankai University]