A group of international students from Zhongshan Torch Polytechnic recently embarked on a cultural exchange program in Dianbai District, Maoming City, Guangdong Province. The initiative aimed to deepen their understanding of China's traditional agarwood culture through firsthand experiences.
During their visit, the students explored Dianbai's Agarwood Street, a hub for the local agarwood industry, and toured nurseries and processing facilities to observe cultivation and production techniques.
At an incense-making workshop, artisans demonstrated traditional skills such as lixiang (sorting raw materials) and slicing, while the students eagerly tried their hands at crafting incense.
Moustapha, a student from Chad, marveled at modern cultivation innovations: "What traditionally took decades to mature now only takes a few years—science has truly revived this ancient legacy!"
The group was deeply impressed by Dianbai's millennium-old agarwood heritage, displayed through exquisite craftsmanship and rare specimens showcased in cultural museums.
"This experience is invaluable," said Djamal, also from Chad. "I'll definitely return to learn more."
Tanzanian student Petro highlighted agarwood's enduring significance: "Its role in medicine and rituals deserves global recognition. I'll share this wisdom with my community."
The students plan to produce a mini-documentary featuring their journey, narrated in Chinese, English, French, and Arabic, to introduce Dianbai's agarwood culture to international audiences.
Reporter: Deng Jianqing
Photo: Li Siying
Editor: Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
