On January 7, 2026, a unique cultural practice activity was held under the guidance of Teacher Long Youzhen. International students stepped into the fascinating world of Peking Opera masks, experiencing firsthand the distinctive charm of traditional Chinese performing arts.
As a national treasure of China, Peking Opera serves as a significant carrier of traditional Chinese culture. The painted mask, or lianpu, is one of its most recognizable symbols—different colors and patterns represent the character’s personality and fate. Painting these masks not only enhances students’ hands-on skills but also deepens their understanding and appreciation of Peking Opera culture.
To begin the activity, Teacher Long introduced the origins, color codes, and symbolic meanings of Peking Opera masks, using the role categories ofSheng,Dan,Jing,Mo, andChouas a starting point. Through classic characters such as the loyal and brave red-faced Guan Gong, the straightforward black-faced Zhang Fei, and the cunning white-faced Cao Cao, students gained a deeper insight into the cultural meanings behind the masks and looked forward to the upcoming painting session.
During the hands-on segment, students received plain mask templates and immersed themselves in the creation. Carefully outlining patterns and mixing colors, they exchanged stories about the characters they were painting in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. Soon, one distinctive mask after another was completed—some bright in color, some smooth in brushwork, and others creatively designed. To conclude, students proudly wore their self-painted masks and took group photos, capturing the memorable cultural experience with laughter and joy.
This mask-painting activity allowed international students to engage closely with Peking Opera art. Through the strokes of their brushes, they further developed their perception and recognition of traditional Chinese culture, injecting vibrant cultural meaning into their Chinese language learning.
The Cultural Practice Series of our College’s Chinese language classes adopts a“Chinese + Practice”model, which enhances international students’ first-hand experience in China, broadens their understanding of Chinese society, helps shape their Chinese perspective, and promotes excellent traditional Chinese culture. It is an integral part of our university’s“Chinese + N”training approach for international students, contributing to sharing China’s stories with the world.
