We were still catching our breath from climbing the Great Wall when the news dropped: pack your bags—we’re flying to Xi’an tomorrow. The excitement buzzed louder than the Beijing summer heat.
That was July 13.
The next morning, July 14, still sunburned and sore, all 27 of us—delegates of the Journalist Leaders and Gen Z Young Leaders Seminar for Belt and Road countries—loaded our bags onto the shuttle, said goodbye to our dorms at the Research and Training Institute of the National Radio and Television Administration (RTI-NRTA), and made our way to Beijing Capital International Airport.
I was seated beside Sweeter Kalio and Bejay Obispo, both from Micronesia, on our Air China flight. Lunch was served midair, but turbulence shook us more than our fill ever could. I remember closing my eyes, silently praying we’d land safely. We did.
A warm welcome awaited us at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport. The short walk to the parking lot under the 42°C sun was enough to leave us a bit drained. The shuttle ride to our hotel took just 30 minutes, but we felt the impact of the heat. Thankfully, the Fairfield by Marriott in the Chanba Ecological District greeted us with cool air, cozy rooms, and soft beds. Most of us skipped sightseeing and collapsed into much-needed naps before the evening’s welcome dinner.
That night, the mood was light and the food comforting.
Jack Zhao, director of RTI-NRTA, officially welcomed us alongside fellow media delegates from another program. We had just landed in the host city of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 2nd TV Festival—Xi’an, China’s ancient capital with a future-forward spirit.
July 15 | Xi’an, Shaanxi Province
Our morning began like a scene from a classic film—fittingly, because we were headed to one.
We arrived at West Film Circle Park, home of the iconic Xi’an Film Studio, one of China’s four major state-owned film groups.
Established in 1958, this studio has played a defining role in Chinese cinema, producing over 300 feature films and nearly 200 TV dramas, plus documentaries and educational films.
Even before entering, the studio’s façade stirred something in us—curiosity, maybe even awe. On both sides of the park walkway, plaques and trophies proudly told a story of decades of excellence.
Inside the Xi’an Film Studio Experience Center for the Arts of Film, we walked through halls that held a lifetime’s worth of film history.
The vintage car collection immediately caught my eye.
These weren’t just props—they were characters. Some still run today, and each felt like it had its cinematic past engraved in its wheels.
We wandered through exhibits filled with movie props, stunt gear, and makeup stations. There was even a hands-on space for sound effects, where we made thunder crash and footsteps echo on cue. It was every film enthusiast’s playground.
Then came the World Film Projector Collection Museum, leaving us wide-eyed. I was speechless in front of rows of machines that once brought stories to life on screen.
Hundreds of projectors, from antique hand-cranks to modern digital models, lined the room like a tech evolution timeline.
One gallery displayed portraits of legendary Chinese directors like Wu Tianming, Zhang Yimou, and Chen Kaige—names that shaped modern Chinese film.
West Film Group has earned over 70 international awards—including the Golden Bear and Palme d'Or—and more than 200 domestic honors. Their crowning jewel, Red Sorghum, was the first Chinese film to win the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
This visit reminded me why storytelling—whether through journalism or film—has the power to connect cultures, preserve identity, and inspire generations.
July 15 | Afternoon | Jingyang, Shaanxi Province
Our next stop was Fu Tea Town (also called Fucha Town) in Jingyang—a National AAAA-Level Tourist Attraction. And let me say this: it did not disappoint.
Though Jingyang isn’t a tea-growing region, it became a major center for Fu tea processing and trade during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it celebrates that legacy with pride, offering visitors a rich experience of tea heritage.
Spanning over 2,200 mu (about 360 acres), the town fuses Fucha culture with the folk customs of the Guanzhong region, blending health, wellness, and tradition.
Fucha, or dark tea, is one of China’s six major tea types. It’s fully fermented and develops deeper flavor and richer color the longer it ages. What makes it unique is the presence of the “golden flower” fungus (Eurotium cristatum)—believed to help with metabolism, blood sugar, and blood pressure regulation. But more than health, Fucha is steeped in storytelling.
They invited us to try the traditional frying process. I stood next to a massive iron wok, the heat rising sharply from the fire beneath it. As I stirred the tea leaves, the warm, earthy aroma wrapped around me. It felt meditative, like connecting with something far older than myself.
I also signed my name on the Fu tea wrapped in traditional paper along with other volunteer delegates who were immersed in the process of Fu team making — a small, simple act, but deeply meaningful. It was a personal seal on an experience I’ll carry with me long after the tea is gone.
Another highlight for me was making a traditional scent bag—a small cloth pouch filled with fragrant herbs and spices. I carefully chose my mix, then tied the drawstring to seal in the soothing aromas.
It was a simple yet meaningful way to connect with the region’s folk wellness practices—and I loved how something so small could carry so much culture.
July 16 | Xi’an International Convention Center
We dressed in our best for the morning opening of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) TV Festival at the Xi’an International Convention Center (XICC). Our group photo was taken just before the formal program started—and funnily enough, that photo ended up on our personalized certificates. A proud keepsake.
The morning ceremony featured a series of speeches from high-level officials and leaders from SCO member countries. Sitting in the same hall as these global media executives and dignitaries gave me chills. It was an incredible honor to be part of something so big, so global.
In the afternoon, we gathered again at the Television China Theater for an industry exchange event. Media leaders from India, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, and China shared insights on digital broadcasting, co-productions, and the future of storytelling. It was inspiring to hear so many perspectives from across Asia.
Meanwhile, the crew from Shaanxi Broadcasting Corporation’s Starting Point Center had been filming me throughout the day for a vlog they asked me to do for the festival. It was my first time doing anything like it, and I was so nervous at first. Multiple takes, lots of sweat, and a few laughs later, I finally nailed it. I felt incredibly grateful for the chance. It was a privilege I won’t forget, and I’m glad it turned out well.
In the evening, we were treated to a world-class performance titled "SCO Night: Audiovisual Concert," featuring the renowned Yu Long, whom The New York Times once called "the most influential figure on China’s musical landscape." Yu currently serves as the artistic director of the China Philharmonic Orchestra and music director of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Sharing the stage with him was Ding Xiaojun, a national Class-A performing artist, whose stunning performance added even more brilliance to the night.
July 17 – Shaanxi Media Convergence + Terracotta Warriors
It was my birthday, and what a memorable way to spend it!
In the morning, we visited Shaanxi Media Convergence (SMC), one of China’s most advanced and influential media hubs. Managed directly by the Publicity Department of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee, SMC runs nine TV channels, eight radio frequencies, and the regional news powerhouse West.CN, reaching more than 11 million households and garnering over 200 billion views annually across all platforms.
Walking through its state-of-the-art studios and bustling control rooms, I was blown away by the scale and innovation.
High-tech LED walls, multiple live broadcast rooms, and nonstop programming—it felt like stepping into the future of media.
Backed by a 200-strong team of reporters and editors stationed across various districts in Shaanxi Province, the group is leveraging AI to create more interactive and engaging digital content. It’s no surprise they’ve built strong media partnerships with 23 countries—including Russia, Hungary, and Italy.
In the afternoon, we visited the iconic Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum in Lintong, home of the legendary Terracotta Warriors. Despite the intense summer heat, the site buzzed with visitors.
Seeing the life-sized, uniquely sculpted warriors in formation—guarding China’s first emperor for over 2,000 years—gave me chills.
The Terracotta Warriors leave tourists in awe at one of China’s most iconic archaeological wonders.
Over the past five decades, experts have restored over a thousand broken figures, each one returned to its place in the vast pit.
At about 1.8 meters tall, the warriors were built larger than life, fitting for the emperor they served.
Later that evening, after dinner at the hotel, I went out with friends from Bulgaria, Honduras, and Micronesia. We strolled around The Outlets, laughed over stories, and hung out at Starbucks to quietly celebrate my birthday.
Earlier in the day, during one of our shuttle rides, the entire delegation surprised me by singing a birthday song.
It was my first birthday away from my family, but somehow, this newfound global family made it feel just as warm.
July 18
While Xi’an gave us so many unforgettable memories, it was time to head back to Beijing for the final leg of our two-week seminar. Our group had grown close in Xi’an, and back in Beijing, those bonds only deepened. MLSA