International students immerse in TCM culture at Shanghai university event

More than 50 international students from over 20 countries recently delved into the world of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other Chinese intangible cultural heritage during an event hosted by the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Sponsored by the China Scholarship Council, this event marked the sixth edition of "Experiencing China with Intangible Cultural Heritage Items", a series initiated by the university in 2019.

The event, hosted on the university's campus on Sept 28, unfolded as an intangible cultural heritage market, featuring demonstrations of TCM, martial arts, embroidery, and printmaking. The aim was to provide international students currently studying at various Shanghai-based universities including Tongji University, East China Normal University, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and New York University Shanghai with a hands-on understanding of traditional Chinese culture and the distinctive allure of Chinese cultural heritage.

The students were divided into four groups, each embarking on different routes to explore the various facets of the event. In the TCM ointment exhibition area, the students delved into the historical origins, production methods, and common Chinese medicinal materials used in ointments, gaining insights into the form and texture of these remedies. Simultaneously, an AI traditional Chinese diagnostic device collected data such as tongue, face, and pulse to provide health analyses from a TCM perspective, enriching their understanding of traditional Chinese medical practices.