Twenty international students at Beijing's Capital University of Economics and Business gained rare insight into China's architectural heritage through a November 19 workshop focused on traditional mortise and tenon joinery. The hands-on session showcased the ingenious wooden connection system that has enabled pagodas and temples to withstand earthquakes for millennia.
Under expert guidance, participants assembled interlocking joints using methods unchanged since China's Warring States period (475-221 BCE). "This precision engineering without nails reveals why UNESCO recognizes traditional Chinese architecture as intangible cultural heritage," said workshop instructor Li Wei.
The event aligns with Beijing's strategy to strengthen international educational exchanges. University spokesperson Zhang Ming noted: "Such cultural immersion helps global youth appreciate China's technological contributions while fostering cross-cultural understanding."
Participants from 15 countries documented their creations through social media, with many expressing interest in applying these sustainable construction principles in their home countries. The university plans monthly cultural workshops through 2026 as part of Beijing's development as a global exchange hub.
