Amidst the karst cliffs, an international student crew finds rhythm-and common ground-on the Yulong River.
November 8, 2025 | YANGSHUO, China
There were no motor sounds, only the dip of wooden paddles and the occasional shout of encouragement in multiple languages. Against the dreamlike backdrop of Yangshuo's limestone peaks, eight international students from Guangxi Normal University leaned into the current, racing in the county's first-ever bamboo raft competition.
The team-hailing from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, and Myanmar-was one of 22 crews in Saturday's "Riding the Waves of Yulong, Rafting Through Yangshuo"event. For most, it was their first time navigating a river on a traditional bamboo craft.
Finding Rhythm on the River
On a 200-meter stretch of the Yulong River, the crew quickly settled into a shared tempo. "Left, right, left, right-we started calling it out almost instinctively," said Tran Minh, a Vietnamese student who took the steering position. "It wasn't just about strength; it was about listening to each other, feeling the raft move as one."
Spectators along the bank cheered as the international team maintained a smooth, steady pace from start to finish, their synchronization belying their novice status.
More Than a Race
For the students, the event was less about winning and more about immersion. "You see these landscapes in pictures, but being on the water, paddling with your own strength-it makes it real," said Indonesian participant Sari Dewi. "You feel the spray, you hear the river. Yangshuo isn't just a view anymore; it's an experience."
The bamboo raft race is one in a series of hands-on activities Guangxi Normal University organizes for its international students. From farming experiences to folk festivals, the aim is to move beyond classroom learning and into lived encounter.
Building Bridges, One Stroke at a Time
"It's easy to visit a place as a tourist. It's different to join a local tradition as a participant," noted Liu Wei, a university coordinator at the event. "When our students paddle alongside local teams, share the same river, and work toward the same goal, they're not just observing Chinese culture-they're engaging with it through effort and joy."
As the rafts crossed the finish line, the results mattered less than the shared grins and tired, satisfied glances among the crew. In a region famous for its scenery, these students discovered that the most lasting impressions often come not from what you see, but from what you do together-stroke by stroke, down a river that belongs to everyone.
Why It Matters
In an era of digital interaction, tactile, shared experiences like this race create meaningful human connections. For ASEAN students in China, such activities transform them from visitors into participants, deepening their understanding of the country while strengthening people-to-people ties that outlast any single event.
The ASEAN student team and the Chinese student team pose for a group photo