Architecture wasn't the only thing that caught their eyes. In the Piececool Art Toy Exhibition in Liaobu, intricate metal models, many just fingertip-sized, sparked fascination. Students learned how these art toys blend traditional Chinese symbols with modern design. "What impressed me the most was the museum with all the tiny metal lions and dragons, musical instruments, animation characters. We've never seen such delicate work before," said 16-year-old Szabo Krisztian. He and his classmates couldn't resist buying souvenirs for their families: art toys and cultural trinkets that, in their words, "carry a little piece of China back home."

Dongguan didn't just show its culture, it let the students touch it. At the Tea Culture Center, they learned about Dongguan's tea storage system, tried their hand at brewing tea, and tasted authentic Chinese white tea. "Chinese tea is delicious!" Hungarian student Ma Junjie, who has studied Chinese for over a decade, exclaimed, "Kung Fu taught us discipline, and the tea culture showed us how different and rich Chinese traditions are."

What stood out most, however, was the emotional resonance of the people-to-people exchange. At Songshan Lake Future School, students from both countries laughed, learned from each other, and shared stories of their daily lives. After touring the school and exchanging stories, they joined hands-on workshops in calligraphy and straw-painting bookmark crafts, traditional techniques that offered insight beyond the classroom. 

"At the Songshan Lake Future School, we had a great time with Chinese students. Through these exchanges, we not only better understand Chinese traditions, we also introduce Hungarian culture to new friends." Ma said, "This was my fifth time in China, and Dongguan gave me a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. The students were so open, and we became bridges between our two countries."

"It felt like we were already friends," said Szabo Krisztian. "The exchange made me feel like we're not so far apart after all. Everyone was so kind. If I come to Dongguan again, I'll already have people I know."