Foreign Students Explore Chongqing’s Jinfo Mountain, Embracing the Beauty of China

On August 16, international and Chinese youth participated in a public welfare activity focused on protecting the green mountains and clear waters of Nanchuan District. Seven international students from Chongqing Jiaotong University immersed themselves in Jinfo Mountain, experiencing firsthand the natural wonders of the region.

As Chongqing’s first national nature reserve, Jinfo Mountain boasts a typical karst plateau, ancient high-altitude cave systems, diverse surface karst landscapes, and rich biodiversity. These features earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

SEGBO Ritchie Forcia Arnaulda from Benin, visiting Nanchuan for the first time, was instantly captivated by its scenery. “The mountains are covered with ginkgo forests, some trees over 2,500 years old,” she said. “It reminds me of the tropical forests back home, sharing many similarities, especially the abundance of rare flora and fauna.”

She was equally impressed by the local commitment to conservation. “Some villagers have protected these forests across three generations. Others spent 30 years transforming thousands of acres of barren hills into lush forests. Their dedication to ecological protection is truly admirable,” she noted.

Fellow Beninese student AGOSSOU KEVIN saw potential for collaboration. “They use modern technology for climate monitoring and habitat protection. I hope these practices can be shared with my homeland. There’s much we can exchange in ecological conservation,” he suggested.

In recent years, Nanchuan has pioneered collaborative protection models. It co-founded the Bashu World Heritage Alliance with heritage sites like Leshan, Mount Emei, and Dujiangyan in Sichuan, establishing joint protection frameworks for geographically proximate, ecologically diverse sites. It also partnered with Lombok Island in Indonesia for exchanges in management, cultural preservation, and resource valorization.

The success of Nanchuan’s green economy drew significant interest. In Yinxing Village, Delong Town, the shift to eco-tourism under the “Two Mountains” concept doubled villagers’ income and revitalized the local environment. Beninese student LOKO OLUWADUROTIMI EMILIENNE observed, “The belief that ‘lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets’ has guided countless Chinese villages like Yinxing out of poverty towards prosperity. It offers a sustainable future for rural China.”

Bangladeshi student Akter Mitali highlighted how thriving ecosystems attract birdwatchers and photographers, boosting rural tourism. Local farm stays now host thousands annually, raising the profile of regional specialties like Nanchuan rice, Dashu tea, blueberries, square bamboo shoots, and medicinal herbs.

Wang Bing, Party Secretary of Delong Town, emphasized the transformative power of green development. “Turning ecological strengths into economic advantages represents a profound shift in philosophy and practice, elevating local socioeconomic progress,” he explained. For instance, ancient tea trees in Delong are now cultivated extensively, with products sold in Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, and across ASEAN nations.

“I know China has valuable experience here. I want to learn and bring these lessons home,” said Beninese student SEHOUHOUE Kelly Maïck. “My country also has unique agricultural products. We hope to develop them scientifically, sustainably, and in harmony with nature.”

Each student gained unique insights from the immersive experience. FARIS AYISHA TAJUDIN from Malaysia shared, “China’s commitment to nature conservation drew me to study here. I want to learn in a nation that prioritizes environmental protection.” Having grown up near an African rainforest, she felt an immediate bond with Jinfo Mountain. “Its beauty and biodiversity feel like home. I could live here,” she expressed.

HALIM MD ABDUL from Bangladesh stressed the role of technology. “Chinese wisdom, technology, and action are driving global green development,” he stated. “May this breeze of low-carbon progress reach every corner of the world.