From “China in my imagination” to “China in my eyes”: on 3 July, Turkish sinologist Prof. Okay Bülent led the 30-strong “Stars of Hope” delegation to Xi'an. The inbound team of Xi'an Overseas planned every detail, designing a route that combined scenery, cuisine, historical heritage and intangible-heritage culture — a vivid taste of Xi'an's splendour.
Türkiye is a key country along the Silk Road — and this itinerary is itself a journey back to the route's starting point.
The nationwide high-school painting competition “China in My Imagination” has been held six times; in 2023, the Chinese Embassy in Türkiye sent winners from two editions to visit China together, further building the bridge of youth friendship between the two countries.
The children arrived with a China imagined in paint and went home with a China seen with their own eyes — culture and art as the bond, deepening friendly exchange and mutual understanding.
China and Türkiye came to know each other through the Silk Road. Walking from its starting point, the delegation turned the “ancient route of camel bells” into a present-day Xi'an you can touch, taste and experience.
Scenery, cuisine, historical heritage and living traditions — a route tailored for the “Stars of Hope”.
Visiting the Ancient City Wall and Beilin Museum — marvelling at the wisdom and building craft of the ancients and the layers of history behind the wall.
Walking the Silk Road-themed street of Datang West Market, and feeling the charm of Tang culture in the splendid night scenes of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Grand Tang Mall.
Visiting the mausoleum museum — experiencing the ancient capital's deep heritage and cultural innovation, face to face with a military wonder from 2,000 years ago.
Tea ceremony, guzheng and paper-cutting workshops at the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Center; a Tang-style music and dance show, the splendid culture of High Tang, and Xi'an's signature cuisine.
Some photos are from the reception archives; the rest come from the group's reception records over the years.
Attracting more Chinese and international visitors with professional interpretation and quality service, driving long-term international cultural exchange and two-way tourism.
Customised routes around painting, calligraphy and intangible heritage — upgrading “visiting” into “taking part”, the essential difference between a cultural group and a sightseeing tour.
Tea ceremony, guzheng, paper-cutting, Tang-style music and dance — Xi'an Overseas' local network takes overseas groups into cultural centres and theatres, not just scenic spots.
Drawing on rich experience with overseas groups: multilingual interpretation, bilingual tour leaders and full-journey accompaniment — seizing every chance for exchange.
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