Our first journey along the Silk Road with Dr Ting was in 2015/16. Since then, Dr Ting has hosted a number of talks and led PolyU students and staff on historical explorations to Guangzhou, Quanzhou, Malaysia, Vietnam and Xinjiang. Grateful as we are for the invaluable learning experience, we look forward to exploring more countries along the Silk Road with Dr Ting!
Dr Ting explained the importance of trading to the rise and decline of a city with Hoi An as an example. Through visits to several guildhalls, I have also learnt that many overseas Chinese people were involved in important trading roles in Southeast Asia and that these guildhalls bore religious, social and educational functions.
The historical exploration has offered me a broad viewpoint to understand the development of society; it has especially aroused my interest in religion and war. After the exploration, I have become more proud of our Chinese culture. In fact, we have created a superior civilization totally different from the Western one.
This Historian-in-Residence Programme has provided an opportunity for me to learn about history and culture that I cannot learn in class. I also have learnt other countries’ culture and history, and reflected on Chinese culture. It’s a really meaningful thing for me.
