3 July 2016

Shilin Global Geopark has welcomed the exchange group from Hong Kong Global Geopark composed of 37 students and 4 teachers at July 1, 2016. This activity is launched by Hong Kong Global Geopark, jointly organized by Shilin Global Geopark, whose aim is to strengthen the communication between the two places.

 Teachers and students from Hong Kong KAU YAN College went to the No. 1 Middle School of Shilin County, which was founded in 1937, communicated with its teachers and students one by one, visited the schoolyard under their guidance, learned the history of the used to be Southwest Associated University. After that, Hong Kong  student representative introduced the basic situation of Hong Kong KAU YAN College.

Students from both Hong Kong and Shilin learned together archaic Yi script and language from the Sani branch of Yi people and to sing the Yi song, whose name is "Guests from afar, please stay here". Everyone knew each other very soon in the common learning and communication, gave presents to each other, left contact information to each other. The atmosphere was very harmonious when learning folk dance. A local arrangement was casually increased after activity, which is that Hong Kong students went to supermarket to shop under Shilin students' guidance and had to back within a limited time. Just a half day contact, students from the two places have established a profound friendship, kept taking pictures, reluctant to part farewell.

During the 5-day trip, the Hong Kong Global Geopark exchange group visited Shilin Global Geopark, Naigu Strone Forest Scenic Area, Shilin Geopark Museum, Jiuxiang Cave Scenic Area, Longmen Grottoes Scenic Area, Yunnan Provincial Museum, Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Area of Guandu, etc. All the students and teachers has appreciated the beauty of Shilin Global Geopark, learnt the history of Kunming and Yunnan, experienced the extensive and profound intangible cultural heritage, such as making chess pieces of Go. The collections in the Shilin Geopark Museum and Yunnan Provincial Museum made them eye-opening. "The trip and study in Shilin and Kunming made everyone benefited." YeMinyi said, teacher from Hong Kong KAU YAN College.

The exchange activity was spoke highly of by No. 1 Middle School of Shilin, that got the careful organization of the event and hoped to continue provide opportunities for young people afterwards. This exchange activity let them closely know about Hong Kong  students' study and life, and let them have a chance to establish friendship with Hong Kong students, this is a big harvest in their journey of life.

Wu Shanbin, the supervisor of Hong Kong Global Geopark, said the exchange activities among Global Geoparks can help to advance youth's curricular knowledge and sight. At the same time, communication can let Hong Kong youth know about hinterland directly.