Expats enjoy taste of rural life in Jiangsu

The group members started their journey with a tour of Dongluo Village, which has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Previously a rural backwater, it now boasts a thriving tourism industry, which, coupled with agriculture, has lifted its residents out of poverty – something that impressed many in the group.

However, its economic success has not ruined the traditional character of the area, and the expats were able to enjoy a ride on a raft at the nearby fog-shrouded Lizhong Aquatic Forest Park.

"Walking through the forest park and listening to the sound of the birds chirping was amazing," said Nur Muhammad, a Bangladeshi student from Yangzhou University. "Despite the drizzle, I really enjoyed the boat ride."