Rizhao is a beautiful coastal city in Shandong province, where on a tranquil tea plantation, the view of the ocean and the mountain come together.

Ten students and a teacher from Shandong University travelled to the city of Rizhao this May 2023. The participating students were from all 6 campuses of Shandong University, all studying different majors. One student from the school of medicine and 2 students from the school of dentistry were among the group.

The students learned how to pick tealeaves from the green tea plantation, by picking only the small budding of each new leaf from the plant, as the newly grown leaves produce the best tasting and highest quality green tea flavor. After tea leaf picking, the freshly picked tea leaves were used to make tea, which they could all enjoy while relaxing and looking out onto the idillic tea plantation with the view of the ocean and the mountains in the distance.

They also had the opportunity to visit Dongyi Town for dinner, Rhododendron Flower Garden, the beautiful beach of Rizhao, Hanfu dress experience, as well as Rizhao black pottery. At Rizhao black pottery they learned from an expert pottery maker how to each make a small cup from black clay. The expert teacher made it look very easy as his hands mold and fold with precise control and slow steady equal movements, with the precise strength required on the turning table to create the most beautiful piece of black pottery; but the students soon realized it is an art form that has to be mastered and they had a lot of fun trying themselves.

The entire visit in Rizhao city the students were spoiled with fresh seafood from Rizhao city, tasting different fish and shellfish such as oysters and different types of clams, prawns and octopus. On behalf of all the students, thank you to Shandong University for meticulous care and enthusiasm in arranging this amazing visit to Rizhao.