Mainland Study Tour 2024 was an exciting opportunity for 76 S5 students to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture and dynamic growth of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. From 2nd to 3rd July 2024, our students had the chance to visit Nansha (南沙) and Qianhai (前海) within the Greater Bay Area, gaining a deeper understanding of the region’s rich history, technological advancements, and entrepreneurial spirit. The itinerary had been carefully curated to provide our students with a well-rounded and insightful exploration of this rapidly evolving economic and cultural hub. This two-day educational adventure proved to be a truly enriching and unforgettable experience for all participants.
The first stop of the tour was the Qianhai International Conference Center (前海國際會議中心), where students witnessed firsthand the cutting-edge developments and innovative collaborations taking place in this thriving economic zone. This was followed by a visit to the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub (前海深港青年夢工場), where our students had the opportunity to engage with young entrepreneurs and learn about the dynamic startup ecosystem in the region.
Eager to further explore the Greater Bay Area, the students then traveled to the Guangzhou Nansha Library (南沙圖書館), a state-of-the-art facility that showcased the region’s commitment to education and knowledge-sharing. They were awestruck by the library’s cutting-edge design and the wealth of resources available to the local community. Along the way, they stopped at the Pearl Bay Development Exhibition Center (明珠灣開發展覽中心) in Nansha, where they discovered the ambitious plans and visionary projects that are transforming the landscape of this dynamic region.
On July 3rd, the group started their day with a visit to GuangDong YueWei Edible Fungi Technology Co., Ltd. (廣東粵微食用菌技術有限公司), a leading company in the mushroom cultivation industry. Our students were astonished as they learned about the intricate process of growing mushrooms and even had the chance to participate in a hands-on DIY session, planting their own mushroom samples!
Immersing themselves in the vibrant cultural heritage of the Greater Bay Area, the students then explored the Cantonese Opera Art Museum (粵劇藝術博物館), gaining a profound appreciation for the enduring traditions that shape this dynamic region. In the afternoon, they visited the charming Yongqing Fang (永慶坊), allowing them to soak in the local ambiance and gain a deeper understanding of the region’s unique character.
The tour ended on a high note with a high-speed rail journey from Guangzhou South back to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, fully experiencing the seamless connectivity that defines the Greater Bay Area.
Throughout the tour, our students were brimming with enthusiasm and a profound sense of gratitude. They were captivated by the region’s cutting-edge innovations, awed by its rich cultural heritage, and inspired by the boundless opportunities that await them in the Greater Bay Area.
Following are 4 abstracted personal reflections from the participating students:
5A11 SO TIN YAN 蘇天忻 (personal reflection – abstracted- CHI ONLY)
從這次考察體驗中，透過參觀前海深港青年夢工場點燃了我的熱情。置身於那裡蓬勃的創業氛圍中，我感受到年輕人追夢的熱切和決心。他們充分利用前海這片創新沃土，不斷探索，勇於嘗試。這種敢於創新、敢於擔當的精神，深深地激勵了我，激發我也想為國家建設做出貢獻的熱情。在考察過程中，我不僅看到了國家的發展成就，也認識自身的不足。我意識到：只有不斷學習、勇於創新，才能在瞬息萬變的世界中立足。這種自我反思和成長的動力，必將成為我未來發展的動力泉源。
5B09 LOW SHEUNG LAM 勞尚霖 (personal reflection – abstracted – CHI ONLY)
青年人是國家未來發展的重要支柱和動力，不少的年輕人有一顆熱血的心，勇於嘗試，但礙於一些現實硬件條件上的限制，例如資金，機遇等，他們的創業夢往往亦因此被逼放棄。有見及此，國家在不同的政策上為年輕人提供支援，例如我們到訪的前海青年夢工場。夢工場為新創業年輕人提供一個優良的起步點，它為年輕人提供資金上的支援，例如創業基金，以相對優惠的價錢出租辦公室。除此以外，夢工場更把不同滿懷熱誠的年輕人集合起來，彼此交流，一同進步。在這個旅程，我感受到國家對於年輕人的重視和培養，相信在國家優良的政策下，年輕人必定能實現自己的理想。
5C05 HUNG PUI CHING 洪珮晴 (personal reflection – abstracted- CHI ONLY)
參加考察團的同學中，有頗多的粵劇愛好者樂於了解粵劇文化，參觀時，她們或拿出手機頻頻拍下各種精美的粵劇服飾，或跟從博物館的短片展示學習粵劇唱段，更有同學因自小便到劇團唱戲，對講述粵劇文化可謂順手拈來。粵劇文化現在能聞名於各個年齡群，離不開學校、各地粵劇博物館及粵劇愛好者等共同努力推廣。正因為有他們的大力貢獻，國家珍貴的藝術文化才能夠盡可能完整地保留下來，傳與後代。現在，很多外國友人聽到粵劇、京劇等傳統戲劇表演時，都可以第一時間辨認出「那是中國的文化！」，大大加強了國家的文化傳播和國人的文化自信，實在令人高興啊！
5D20 SIT AMELIA HUEN YI 薛萱兒 (personal reflection – abstracted – ENG ONLY)
I am very impressed by the growth China has undergone in multiple domains. From awe-inspiring infrastructure projects like the high-speed rail network to the rapid urbanization and modernization of cities, the country has achieved remarkable feats. The advancement in technology, particularly in areas like e-commerce, artificial intelligence and renewable energy, has positioned China as a global leader, and hearing about it during the trip has made me feel very proud of our country. Witnessing the grand scale of urban greening, well-established transit networks and vigorous support for young start-ups left a lasting impression on me of China’s remarkable progress. It is clear that over the past years our nation has been working diligently to successfully grow our nation to the level it is at today.
