"Ancient capital of China, Datong for the world." On June 6–7, 2026, the fourth-grade students of Tsinghua International School (THIS), filled with curiosity and questions about millennia-old relics, embarked on a field trip to Datong under the guidance of seven teachers: Ms. Zhang Xiaofang, Ms. Hu Yuting, Dr. Gerald Anthony, Ms. Nerina Moodley, Ms. Bryttani Jefferson, Ms. Daisy Li, and Ms. Essie Yan.
Datong Museum– A Vault of Ten Thousand Wonders
After a train journey of nearly two hours, the THIS students and teachers arrived in Datong. Though a light drizzle brought a chill, the students' eagerness to explore was unstoppable—their eyes gleamed with anticipation and excitement.
Stepping into the Datong Museum, the first object that caught their eyes was a ceramic ox-cart standing quietly in its display case. The ox's eyes bulged, its hind legs bent as if straining to pull, its hooves planted on a rectangular base. The students crowded around the case, as if transported back 1,500 years to the grand procession of nobility.
Taking the escalator to the second floor, they entered the "Pingcheng, Capital of Wei" exhibition hall, which houses a wealth of artifacts unearthed from the Northern Wei period. Lacquer screens told tales of filial piety; rows of pottery figurines reflected the fusion of Hu and Han cultures; blue glassware hinted at the Silk Road's far-reaching connections. The silent relics in the museum stirred ripples of history and culture in the children's hearts. One by one, they picked up their pens and recorded these treasures and the stories behind them.
"When I walked in, I felt like I had gone back in time to the Northern Wei Dynasty. All the cool artifacts looked like they could tell stories about ancient kings and queens."
——Brian Jiang, G4W
"The stuff in the glass cases was so quiet, but it felt like it was whispering stories from a thousand years ago. I walked really slowly and looked at everything. It made me feel super respectful of history."
— Houlton Hsu, G4P
"At the Datong Museum, the clay figures and stone carvings seemed to talk to me without making a sound. I felt like I traveled back to when different cultures mixed together a long time ago."
— Zining Wang, G4W
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
– A Testament to Master Craftsmanship
As one of the "Three Wonders of World Pagodas," the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda has stood resilient for a millennium, surviving earthquakes, wars, and storms—a true marvel in the history of Chinese architecture. The students looked up at this towering 67-meter structure, gasping in awe. "It's stunning!" "Does it really have no nails?" With five stories and six eaves, flying eaves and interlocking brackets, it stood majestic like a giant from a bygone era. Some craned their necks counting the levels, others stretched their arms to measure the base's width, while a few quickly sketched the pagoda's outline in their field-trip booklets.
Under Teacher Tracy's vivid explanation, the mysteries of the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda were unveiled. The secret to its longevity, they learned, lies in its intricate dougong (bracket set) structure. These act like springs—they shift slightly during earthquakes and return to place once the tremors cease, giving the pagoda room to "breathe." The students listened intently, frequently looking up at the dense wooden components on the tower, as if glimpsing the ancient craftsmen at work.
Inside the pagoda, a colossal statue of Sakyamuni sat in the center, serene and dignified. The students gazed up in reverence, their footsteps instinctively softening, silently paying respect to this giant that has guarded the pagoda for nearly a thousand years.
In pairs, the students assembled miniature dougong models. Through the interlocking of mortise and tenon joints, they truly grasped the ancient wisdom of "no nails, yet standing for a millennium." After successful assembly, each student received a small gift from Datong—a Luban lock. Holding this intriguing token of Chinese craftsmanship, their faces shone with a sense of accomplishment.
"I visited the museum, the grottoes, and the old city wall—they were all cool—but the wooden pagoda was my favorite. I finally get that learning isn't just from books. Mountains, rivers, and old buildings are like giant classrooms full of stuff to discover. This trip opened my eyes and taught me so much. That thousand-year-old pagoda shows how smart ancient people were, and it made me love Chinese culture even more."
— Jessica Liu, G4P
"Even though the pagoda is super old and has been through a lot, you can still tell it was amazing back in the day. It has survived earthquakes and wars and got banged up, but it's like a brave soldier—even with all its scars, it's still standing strong. I think it's the greatest and toughest pagoda ever."
— Tai Wei, G4W
"All those little wooden brackets stacked up looked like tiny hands holding the whole pagoda up. I couldn't believe how much smart thinking went into such small pieces. It taught me that no matter what you do, you should be careful and patient—even the little details matter a lot."
— Arwen Da, G4P
"When I went inside, the first thing I saw was this giant Buddha. It looked straight ahead with a calm face and wore a robe painted with over fifty dragons—it was like the 'superhero' of the pagoda! But the funniest part was that it had earrings and curly green whiskers, which made it look kind of silly but still cool."
— Sophia Zhang, G4W
"Shuaigai'er" Opera – Singing the Local Spirit
That evening, the students gathered in the dining hall. Performers in traditional costumes appeared among them—a unique "Shuaigai'er" opera performance was about to begin. Originating from the northern Shanxi and Datong area, Shuaigai'er is hailed by drama experts as a "living fossil of theater history." Its most distinctive feature is the "back-throat" vocal technique, where the voice is squeezed from the back of the throat, producing a coughing-then-singing effect that is deep, rustic, and wild.
As crisp gongs and drums sounded, "Pigsy" (Zhu Bajie) wobbled into the aisle with his big belly, carrying a smiling "young lady" on his back. The "ke-ke-hou" cries seemed to erupt from the depths of the heart—resonant yet raspy, utterly different from the clear, bright tones they were used to. The unique singing and comical performance kept the children laughing.
"The Shuaigai show that night was awesome. The rough singing and funny moves made me feel like I was seeing real old-time theater. That whole day, history wasn't just words in a textbook—it was something I could see and feel for real."
— Zining Wang, G4W
Yungang Grottoes– Buddha's Radiance in All Directions
The Yungang Grottoes represent the combined genius of the Northern Wei imperial house, the eminent monk Tan Yao, and countless skilled artisans. They bear witness to the deep fusion of Buddhist culture and Chinese art. More than a magnificent treasury of Buddhist art, they are a living history textbook. Entering the scenic area, the students embarked on a cross-millennial cultural exploration. They listened attentively to the stories behind each statue—no boisterous play, only reverence for history and admiration for art. Immersed in this way, they touched the cultural pulse of the Northern Wei, feeling the warmth of civilization through every chisel mark and carving.
Inside the caves, sunlight filtered through the stone windows, softly illuminating the sculptures and the children's awestruck faces. Their eyes mirrored curiosity about the ancient civilization and the thrill of first encounter. Some whispered discoveries to companions, others gazed pensively at the Buddha figures, and a few jotted down moving details.
"My favorite place was the Yungang Grottoes, especially Cave 12—the Music Cave. It was built in the middle of the Northern Wei period, and it's like a giant royal concert hall. The walls and ceiling are covered with carvings of instruments and musicians that look so real, you can almost hear music from a thousand years ago."
— Angela Li, G4W
"Inside the cave, the giant Buddha was so big and peaceful-looking. The walls had tons of tiny carvings, and every little line was so detailed. When the teacher told us about it, I couldn't even imagine how much patience the ancient workers had to make something so amazing. This trip really showed me that you can learn everywhere—not just in school. I'll always love traditional culture because of it."
— Houlton Hsu, G4P
Ancient City Wall– A Legacy of Strength and Time
The ancient city wall of Datong was first built in the fifth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, under the direction of General Xu Da. Over more than 600 years, it has been damaged and restored many times, yet retains its Ming-Dynasty core layout, complete with barbicans and arrow towers, surrounded by historical sites. The students climbed the wall, touring and decoding the wisdom of ancient military defense systems.
Strolling along the Datong city wall, some students bent over their field-trip maps, identifying the ancient city's layout and learning about surrounding historical sites and stories. Others peered through telescopes, taking in the skyline where ancient red walls and gray tiles met modern buildings. With audio guides in their ears, they listened intently to the guide's historical narratives, occasionally sharing their own little discoveries. Walking step by step on the wall, they traced history with their eyes, reading a city's past and present.
"We climbed up onto the old city wall. The bricks were super thick, and when the wind blew, I felt like I could hear history whispering to me!"
— Brian Jiang, G4W
Rubbing Steles – The Wei Spirit Lives On
A teacher from the local Wei Stele Research Institute first explained the historical origins, development, and artistic value of Wei steles, clarifying their important place in calligraphic history. Then, students were guided to appreciate classic Wei stele works, identifying brushwork, structure, and style.
Next came hands-on practice: the students learned traditional rubbing techniques—wetting paper, tapping, and inking—experiencing the cultural fusion of stele and rubbing, and savoring the charm of traditional calligraphy and the subtlety of intangible cultural heritage.
"Rubbing is a traditional craft. I learned how to put the paper on, tap it, and put on the ink. I also got to try the special Northern Wei brushstrokes—they're kind of sharp and sit between two different writing styles. By rubbing epitaphs and carvings, I also found out about how people lived and mixed cultures back then."
— Weining Zhou, G4P
"What I remember most is the rubbing activity. The teacher showed us how to wet two sheets of paper, put them on the stone, peel off the top one, squeeze the air out, put ink on, wait for it to dry, and then peel it off. I thought it would be easy, but it was hard! The paper ripped, the ink got messy, or nothing showed up. I kept tapping carefully until the letters came out clear, and I was so proud when I finally got it right!"
— William Li, G4W
This Datong field trip was a cultural dialogue spanning millennia and a journey of growth that united knowledge with action. The students witnessed the grandeur of grotto art, experienced the ingenuity of ancient architecture, and felt the profound depth of this border city. History, they realized, is never just words—it is the mountains, rivers, and cultural veins within reach. Though the trip has ended, learning and growth continue. It is our hope that the students will carry forward the spirit of ancient Chinese culture, and with youthful vigor, keep the torch of civilization burning for generations to come.
Bonus of the trip Field-Trip Booklets
Traces of pen on paper, memories tucked in pages. Upon returning, the students recorded their observations, thoughts, and feelings in their field-trip booklets. Neat handwriting, sincere words—each page bears the marks of growth.
Arwen Da G4
Jessica Liu G4
Pedro Liu G4
“I Am a Little Docent”
In front of the camera, the children transformed into "little docents," choosing one site or artifact that left the deepest impression and sharing their own understanding and feelings in detail and with lively charm. Their innocent words held reverence and curiosity for history. We have compiled these precious narrations into a video. Now, let's watch it together!
