With birds singing and cicadas chirping, and under the backdrop of blue skies and white clouds, the participants of the 2019 "China Roots - Seeking Journey" Summer Camp in Leshan, Sichuan, set off from the Academic Exchange Center of Leshan Vocational and Technical College, heading to their first destination for sightseeing and learning: the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area. On the afternoon of August 4, 134 Chinese - descendant teenagers gathered at the Baxian Cave Dock under the guidance of their college counselors, eagerly anticipating their first sight of the world's largest Buddha statue—the Leshan Giant Buddha.

During the journey, the participants were brimming with excitement. Some even began singing Spanish ballads, their joy and anticipation evident in every note.

Upon arriving at the Baxian Cave Dock, the participants lined up neatly and orderly under the guidance of their counselors to board the ferry. As the whistle blew and the ferry set sail, the participants took out their mobile phones to capture the beautiful scenery of Leshan along the riverbanks. When the ferry reached the foot of the Giant Buddha, the participants were both awestruck and delighted as they gazed up at the 71 - meter - tall Leshan Giant Buddha. They eagerly took photos with the 1,216 - year - old statue to commemorate the moment.

"The Leshan Giant Buddha, also known as the Lingyun Giant Buddha, is located at the confluence of the Dadu River, Min River, and Qingyi River..." After about an hour - long guided tour, the participants concluded their visit to the Giant Buddha. "I am very happy to have seen the Leshan Giant Buddha today, and I am truly impressed by its grandeur and craftsmanship. I feel very fortunate to be part of this 'roots - seeking' journey," said Xu Xiangliang, a 16 - year - old Chinese - descendant from Spain. This trip not only allowed them to see the beautiful landscapes of China and learn about its excellent traditional culture but, more importantly, made them proud of China's development and its profound historical and cultural heritage, and proud to be Chinese.

Ms. Mao Yun, a teacher from the Spanish Dola Language School, expressed her satisfaction with the arrangements of the summer camp. She noted that the children had the opportunity to learn about and closely experience our traditional culture, and the improvements they made in language and cultural understanding far exceeded what they would gain from a month of Chinese language classes in their local area.