HK students pose for a group photo beside the statue of renowned Nantong native Zhang Jian (1853-1926). [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Forty-three middle school students from Hong Kong visited Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, from Nov 10 to 14 to explore the city's beautiful scenery and profound culture.

The students visited Nantong High School and Nantong No 2 Middle School to communicate with their Chinese mainland peers. The Nantong students welcomed their HK friends with spectacular performances including vaudeville and sport stacking while the HK students presented these performers with Hong Kong-style handiworks.

HK students pose for a group photo at the Nantong Blue Calico Museum. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

At the Nantong Blue Calico Museum, HK students were guided by the staff members to try their hands at making blue calico, whose dyeing craft is a national intangible cultural heritage item and has a history of more than 1,000 years.

Scraping, air-drying, dying, cleaning …… all the handmade procedures were attractive to the HK apprentices. Lin Liyao from Heung To Middle School said, "The craft is blessed with a visual shock and I admire its rustic and elegant pattern."

During the five-day visit, the HK students also took a boat trip along the Haohe River to take in Nantong's night view, toured Nantong Forest Safari Park, and watched a wonderful acrobatic performance.