Recently, accompanied by a gentle spring drizzle, international students from ECUST embarked on a cultural and technological journey to Wuzhen. 

    With over 7,000 years of civilization and more than 1,300 years of town history, Wuzhen is a classic Jiangnan water town where ancient heritage meets modern innovation. Since 2014, Wuzhen has served as the permanent venue of the World Internet Conference, bringing together leading high-tech enterprises, research institutions, and thousands of innovative achievements. Here, the charm of a traditional water town blends seamlessly with the pulse of cutting-edge technology.

    Entering the Wuzhen World Internet Science and Technology Museum, the students began their exploration of Wuzhen’s “technological side.” Guided by professional interpreters, they learned about the development of the global internet, China’s digital transformation, and the rapid growth of the Internet of Things in Wuzhen. Through immersive exhibitions and interactive displays, students experienced both the depth of history and the vision of the future.

    The interactive exhibition area on the second floor further inspired the students’ enthusiasm for technology. In a simulated flight cockpit, they navigated virtual aircraft across digital displays. At the micro-space experience station, they adjusted wavelengths through hands-on experiments to better understand the principles of screen imaging and signal transmission. These interactive activities transformed abstract technological concepts into vivid and engaging experiences.

    Meanwhile, the soft rain revealed another side of Wuzhen — its poetic and cultural beauty as a timeless Jiangnan town. International students sampled local specialties such as plum blossom cakes, crabapple pastries, and traditional black rice, creating unforgettable memories of Chinese cuisine. They also experienced traditional weaving techniques, admired exquisite wood carvings, and watched shadow puppetry performances, gaining a deeper appreciation for the wisdom and artistic heritage of ancient China.

    In Wuzhen, tradition and innovation coexist in harmony, just as the thousand-year-old waterways flow alongside modern 5G networks. Together, they present a vivid portrait of China – a nation that honors its history while embracing the future with confidence, openness, and creativity.