Chongqing -  Against a backdrop of mountains draped in vibrant red foliage and a poetic legacy stretching back millennia, 21 international students from Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar embarked on a cultural journey through Fengjie County on November 14–15.

The “Fengjie Red Leaf Tour” marked the inaugural session of the “Youth Journey · Chongqing Meets Mekong” International Student Cultural Perception Trip, offering participants a cross-cultural experience framed by classical poetry and the striking landscapes of the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges.

21 international students from Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar embarked on a cultural journey through Fengjie County. (Photo/Chongqing International Cultural and Tourism Exchange Center)

Organized by the preparatory group of the Lancang-Mekong Tourist Cities Cooperation Alliance and hosted by the Chongqing International Cultural and Tourism Exchange Center, the program serves as a key youth exchange initiative commemorating the alliance’s tenth anniversary. It aims to deepen ties among young people from Lancang-Mekong countries through immersive travel experiences while strengthening cultural and tourism cooperation between Chongqing and the region.

The students joined the opening ceremony of the 2025 Three Gorges Summit Red Leaf Season Hiking Challenge, adding an international flair to the event. Wearing their national traditional costumes, they recited Chinese classical poems — including Liu Yuxi’s “Bamboo Branch Song,” Liu Changqing’s “Seeking Zhang’s Residence in Mountains,” and Li Bai’s “Boating East from Badong” — in Mandarin to cheer on the hikers, blending cultural appreciation with natural celebration.

Over the next two days, the group explored the Longqiao River Scenic Area, marveling at its unique karst formations and pristine waters, before visiting the historic Baidi City. There, they immersed themselves in China’s literary and historical heritage, learning stories such as “Liu Bei Entrusting His Orphan to Zhuge Liang” and the background behind Li Bai’s celebrated poem “Departing from Baidi City in the Morning.”

A highlight came at Qutang Gorge’s Kuimen, where students recognized the iconic landscape depicted on China’s 10-yuan banknote and eagerly captured photographs. From the Three Gorges summit viewpoint, they took in a breathtaking panorama of scarlet leaves mingling with golden autumn foliage — a scene many described as nature’s masterpiece.

At Qutang Gorge's Kuimen, students recognized the iconic landscape depicted on China's 10-yuan banknote and eagerly captured photographs. (Photo/Chongqing International Cultural and Tourism Exchange Center)

More than just a scenic tour, the “Fengjie Red Leaf Tour” served as a youth-led cultural exchange platform. Through social-media posts and personal reflections, the students became cultural ambassadors, sharing Chongqing’s beauty with audiences across the Mekong region and helping amplify the “Majestic Landscape, Dynamic Chongqing” global tourism brand.

Students took photos at the Qutang Gorge's Kuimen. (Photo/Chongqing International Cultural and Tourism Exchange Center)

The “Youth Journey · Chongqing Meets Lancang-Mekong” series will continue bringing young participants from Lancang-Mekong countries to other signature destinations across Chongqing, further strengthening international friendships and supporting the city’s development as a Lancang-Mekong tourism cooperation hub and global exchange center.