Taiwan youth highlight study tour at Mount Tai

More than 90 college students from Taiwan visited the majestic Mount Tai during a study tour on Nov 24 in Tai'an, Shandong province and experienced the coming-of-age ceremony on the mountain.

The students, aged between 18 and 25, are from ten different Taiwan universities including the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, Taipei Chengshih University of Science and Technology, National Quemoy University, National Taiwan Sport University and Providence University.

More than 90 college students from Taiwan take part in the coming-of-age ceremony on Mount Tai on Nov 24 in Tai'an, Shandong province. [Photo/toutiao.com]

According to the organizer surnamed Hu from the Taiwan-based cultural tourism association - CIPA, study tours to the Chinese mainland are quite popular among Taiwan students in recent years.

Hu said that Shandong, as one of the cradles of the Chinese civilization and the birthplace of Confucius and Confucianism, is one of the most important stops during the study tours.

"Qufu, Confucius' hometown and Mount Tai, the World Natural and Cultural Heritage are must-see venues during our stay in Shandong," said Hu.

A group photo of the Taiwan college students at the coming-of-age ceremony on Nov 24 in Tai'an, Shandong province. [Photo/toutiao.com]

"I'm very delighted to visit Mount Tai because it is my first time climbing the majestic mountain. What's more, the coming-of-age on the mountain got me thinking about future and how I'd live my life. The experience here means a lot to me," said a student from the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism.

"This is a very meaningful event and it offers an opportunity for the youth of Taiwan to experience traditional Chinese culture and Chinese mainland's social development. Mount Tai has a rich and profound cultural background and it is like a cultural and natural history museum that brings people positive ponders and inspiration", said a professor surnamed Gan from the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism.

Mount Tai, the World Natural and Cultural Heritage, has a rich and profound cultural background. [Photo/mount-tai.com.cn]