A group of 12 international students from Shandong University recently embarked on a tour of the Hongye Shiyan maple scenic spot in Boshan district in Zibo city, East China's Shandong province.

International students from Shandong University at the Hongye Shiyan maple scenic spot in Boshan district, Zibo city. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Upon entering the scenic spot, the students, who hail from countries including South Korea, Japan, the United States, Morocco, Malaysia, and Britain, visited creative fairs, learned about intangible cultural heritage experiences and local specialties, and took part in camping activities.

The students also got to savor cakes and pastries from Boshan Qingmeiju (a time-honored restaurant), Boshan-flavored sausages, jerky, xiugao (a local cake), and various local delicacies.

Students go on rides along the slideway in the area. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Another highlight of the tour was the rides that students got to do on a slideway, the longest of its kind in Boshan.

"I took the luge cart, bought many ceramic and glaze crafts, and also sampled authentic local cuisine. I've always been fond of traditional Chinese culture but never had the chance to learn about it. I'm very pleased with this tour as I've gained a deeper understanding of Boshan and its rich traditional culture,” said a Japanese student named Mito.