As spring surges forward and life bursts into bloom, April brings vibrant kapok blossoms and clear skies to Shenzhen. On April 13, 2025, the School of Advanced Materials organized a spring outing and experiential education activity themed “Riding the Waves, Resonating with the Mountains and Sea”, held at the Dapeng Peninsula in Shenzhen. The event aimed to foster patriotic values and continue the legacy of China’s revolutionary spirit. Centered on a combined approach of “theoretical learning + experiential practice,” the program integrated red heritage exploration, ecological discovery, and team collaboration. Over 40 faculty members and students participated in this journey—an immersive experience that blended spiritual reflection with natural wonder.
The first stop was the former residence of Yuan Geng, a pioneer of China’s economic reform. Amidst the grey brick walls and tiled roofs, a vivid portrait of reform unfolded before the group. Gazing at historic photographs and touching original manuscripts, participants could almost hear the powerful call: “Time is money, efficiency is life.” Beneath banners and flags of both the Party and the School, a group photo was taken—capturing a moment where the spirit of reform met the promise of youth, set against a backdrop steeped in history.
Figure 1. Visiting the Former Residence of Yuan Geng
Stepping into the simulated battlefield, students found themselves immersed in a tactical maze of light and shadow, created by dome lighting and layered obstacles. Stacks of tires, winding metal barricades, and camouflage netting combined to form a three-dimensional “urban combat” training ground. As the battle commenced, mock smoke filled the air. Divided into opposing teams of “officers and criminals,” participants transformed into strategic operatives — executing flanking maneuvers and coordinated assaults. The clash of adrenaline and laughter composed a youthful symphony of tactics, where teamwork was sharpened through trial and exhilaration.
Figure 2. Group Photo in Front of the CS Experience Center
Figure 3. Intense Action on the Simulated Battlefield
At noon, beneath the canopy of a seaside campsite, charcoal crackled and smoke curled gently into the air. Faculty and students gathered around long tables, raising their cups of water in a symbolic toast: "To the mountains and sea, to the beauty of spring!" After the meal, some strolled along the shore, stringing seashells into keepsake necklaces; others ran barefoot through the waves. Laughter blended with the sound of the tides, composing a waltz of spring shared between people and nature.
Figure 4. Barbecue at the Seaside Campsite
In the afternoon, the group ventured into the Shenzhen Dapeng Peninsula National Geopark, where dramatic rock formations rose like ancient scrolls, narrating stories of geological epochs. Faculty and students wandered among jagged stones reminiscent of scenes from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, gently tapping rock faces with geological hammers as sparks of scientific curiosity began to take root. "Every stone beneath our feet," someone remarked, "is a fossil of the Earth’s heartbeat."
Figure 6. Group Photo in Front of the Shenzhen Dapeng Peninsula National Geopark
Figure 7. Geopark Exploration Activity
Electric sightseeing carts glided along the Luzui Coastal Trail like butterflies dancing through a mountain-and-sea gallery. The salty sea breeze brushed through travelers’ hair as the famed “Mermaid Cave” suddenly came into view — perched above the waves, this was the very spot where the mermaid once lived in the film The Mermaid.
Figure 8. The Mermaid Cave
The mountains and sea carry meaning, and spring never disappoints. As scientific rigor met the wild beauty of spring, and as the spirit of revolution merged with the vast skies and ocean, faculty and students of the School of Advanced Materials walked in the footsteps of belief and forged unity through collaboration. By the time they returned, their bags were filled not only with sea breeze and sunshine, but also with a solemn vow: to stand at the tide’s forefront and pursue strength across the sea. To these young hearts—may the next encounter with the mountains and sea be just around the corner.
