On April 22-23, a group of 31 students and teachers from Hungary visited Dongguan as part of the "Yue You Xing- Hungarian Youth Spring Camp in Guangdong," embarking on a memorable culturaljourney through Dongguan.
The group explored several of Dongguan's cultural landmarks, including Keyuan Garden, Songshan Lake Future School, the Dongguan Sign, Tea Culture Center, and the Piececool Art Toy Exhibition. In just two days, they experienced a city where tradition and technology intertwine, where martial arts and tea culture sit side by side with intangible cultural heritage exhibits and futuristic schools.
At the Keyuan Museum, Hungarian youth Bai Li stood quietly in the corridor, gazing at the carved windows reflected in the lotus pond. "It feels like these buildings have walked straight out of a history book," she said, "The city has both impressive skyscrapers and beautiful Lingnan-style buildings, which is really impressed." Having studied Chinese for over five years, she described the visit as a dream come true. "I've always wanted to come to China, to speak Chinese and experience the culture firsthand. The architecture here is beautiful, and the museums taught us so much about history and heritage."
Architecture wasn't the only thing that caught their eyes. In the Piececool Art Toy Exhibition in Liaobu, intricate metal models, many just fingertip-sized, sparked fascination. Students learned how these art toys blend traditional Chinese symbols with modern design. "What impressed me the most was the museum with all the tiny metal lions and dragons, musical instruments, animation characters. We've never seen such delicate work before," said 16-year-old Szabo Krisztian. He and his classmates couldn't resist buying souvenirs for their families: art toys and cultural trinkets that, in their words, "carry a little piece of China back home."
Dongguan didn't just show its culture, it let the students touch it. At the Tea Culture Center, they learned about Dongguan's tea storage system, tried their hand at brewing tea, and tasted authentic Chinese white tea. "Chinese tea is delicious!" Hungarian student Ma Junjie, who has studied Chinese for over a decade, exclaimed, "Kung Fu taught us discipline, and the tea culture showed us how different and rich Chinese traditions are."
What stood out most, however, was the emotional resonance of the people-to-people exchange. At Songshan Lake Future School, students from both countries laughed, learned from each other, and shared stories of their daily lives. After touring the school and exchanging stories, they joined hands-on workshops in calligraphy and straw-painting bookmark crafts, traditional techniques that offered insight beyond the classroom.
"At the Songshan Lake Future School, we had a great time with Chinese students. Through these exchanges, we not only better understand Chinese traditions, we also introduce Hungarian culture to new friends." Ma said, "This was my fifth time in China, and Dongguan gave me a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. The students were so open, and we became bridges between our two countries."
"It felt like we were already friends," said Szabo Krisztian. "The exchange made me feel like we're not so far apart after all. Everyone was so kind. If I come to Dongguan again, I'll already have people I know."
The trip was coordinated by the International Chanwu Federation (Hungary) Guangdong Office, which has organized similar programs since 2016. As Director Gao Fei explained, the initiative is part of a long-standing effort to deepen China-Hungary ties through youth exchange and cultural education. "Youth are the future. This kind of immersive experience lets the students see firsthand how vibrant and alive Chinese culture is, especially here in Guangdong. What they learn here isn't from textbooks. lt's from seeing, touching, and connecting," she said. "It lays the bricks of long-term friendship between the two countries."
Indeed, the students' fluency in Chinese surprised many. They sang Chinese songs, recited poems, and understood speeches without translation, bridging cultural gaps with confidence and joy. One teacher, Peter, who has practiced Shaolin Kung Fu for 18 years, shared: "This trip was so colorful, I can't describe it in one word."
With 2025 marking the 76th anniversary of China-Hungary diplomatic ties, this grassroots exchange echoes the two nations' strategic goal of deepening bilateral cultural understanding. As these young Hungarians return home, they take more than souvenirs, they carry with them memories, friendships, and a deeper bond with China.
