A sinologist learns about Zhejiang's tea culture. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

A total of 25 sinologists, experts on China issues and think tanks from 22 countries arrived in Anji, a county of Huzhou in eastern Zhejiang province on July 26, to probe into the building of beautiful villages.

Sinologists are mostly foreign scholars who study China issues and Chinese culture. The visit to Zhejiang, aimed at showing scholars what the province has achieved in its rural construction, was part of the 2018 Symposium on China Studies held in Beijing and Hangzhou from July 23 to 28.

Yucun village in Anji, the birthplace of the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" and the cradle of China's "Beautiful Village" initiative, was a significant stop of the visit to the county, according to Peng Zhongxin, head of Anji's bureau of culture, radio and TV, press and publication.

"I didn't expect that a small village could have developed so well. There are abundant resources and the village is neat and tidy," said Roger Preston, an associate professor from the Texas Southern University, the United States.

Following the visit to Yucun village, scholars went to the county's eco-museum where they got a better understanding of Anji's ecological economy.

A senior researcher from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University said the cultural elements that have been integrated into the construction of the Anji villages have made them more beautiful.

Sinologists admire the traditional Chinese calligraphy. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]