SISU Journalism Students Explore Cultural Storytelling at Niushou Mountain

By Lv Yuhao  Gu Ziliang

Translated by Guo Yishun

On April 12, students and faculty from the School of Journalism and Communication (SJC) at SISU traveled to Niushou Mountain in Nanjing for a hands-on fieldwork project focused on cultural storytelling.

Led by Professor Yan Yining, Associate Dean of SJC, along with Director of Online Journalism and New Media Department Lv Nan and Research Secretary Li Lun, the group partnered with SDX Joint Publishing Company and the Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone to launch a special edition of the “Backpack Journalist” program. The activity aimed to explore how traditional Chinese culture can be shared through modern, multimedia storytelling.

During the visit, students created photo stories, multilingual voiceovers, and short videos highlighting iconic sites like Foding Pagoda, Foding Temple, and the Tomb of Zheng He. The goal was to bring these historic landmarks to life using digital tools and personal perspectives.

“This was a great way to connect classroom learning with real-world storytelling,” said Professor Yan. “We’re exploring new ways to communicate culture globally.”

As part of the program, a photographer from Xinhua News Agency provided professional training, and students will have the chance to submit their work for awards. A social media campaign is also underway, and follow-up lectures on Niushou Mountain culture are planned on campus.

Lin Chunke, a master’s student in multilingual global journalism, said the experience left a lasting impression.

“I was proud to share the story of Niushou Mountain in Spanish. It’s about more than just language—it’s about building global understanding.”