A summer study program inviting students from prestigious universities in the United States to explore China concluded on Thursday, strengthening cultural exchange and friendship between Chinese and American youth.

Dozens of American students from top institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Chicago and Cornell University participated in the 2024 China Deep Dive Program with Peking University students to attend lectures and visit multiple cities in China in different batches starting late last month.

The program, hosted by PKU, is part of China's initiative launched in November to invite 50,000 young people from the US to visit the country and experience exchanges and study programs over the next five years.

A total of 44 American students and several Chinese students set off last week on a route involving Beijing, Xi'an in Shaanxi province, and Chengdu in Sichuan province, to gain a deeper understanding of the country's development and cultural heritage.

Nicholas Ludford, a student from the University of Minnesota, said he was impressed by the architecture in Xi'an, which combines traditional and contemporary aspects of China, while he also enjoyed the spicy food in Chengdu.

Majoring in global studies and having learned about "fluctuations in China-US relations", Ludford said he was thankful to have the opportunity of visiting China and was "overwhelmed by the warmth of Chinese people".

"I'm feeling optimistic about the future of the two countries and glad to meet so many Chinese people. The program deepens my understanding about China," the 20-year-old said.

Braumon Creighton, a student of economics and anthropology at the University of Chicago, made a plate of three glutinous rice balls each with an image of a giant panda during the trip to the Sichuan Cuisine Museum in Chengdu on Tuesday.

With 10 students at the university, he visited scenic spots including the Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan and the Dujiangyan base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.

"I'm most impressed by two high school students who showed how to change faces (an art of Sichuan Opera) in the Qingchengshan Senior High School. I've taken many photos and will show them back home," he said.

Leo Glasgow, a junior from Cornell University, was excited to take a photo of a giant panda in Chengdu. "I am so lucky. I have never seen them so close," he said.

After visiting pedestrian streets in the style of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and BYD's largest new energy vehicle plant, Glasgow said the exchange program has given him a deeper understanding of China's traditional culture, economic development and openness to the world. "China is an ancient yet modern and vibrant country," he said.

On Thursday, Zhi-Xing China: US-China Youth Leaders Dialogue, an event hosted by PKU and China Education Association for International Exchange, was also held at the university.

Zhi-Xing refers to the ancient Chinese philosophy of "Zhi Xing He Yi," or "unity of knowledge and action", conveying the organizers' hopes that the young visitors from the US can get a deeper understanding of China while traveling around the country.

PKU president Gong Qihuang said the university will continue to promote China-US educational exchanges.

"We will strengthen dialogue and cooperation with partner universities in the US, and foster mutual understanding between the youth of the two countries," Gong said at the event.

Vice-Education Minister Chen Jie encouraged US students to seize the opportunity for an "immersive experience" in China, which allows them to obtain a comprehensive view of the country.

The open and friendly younger generations of China and the US represent the hope for the development of both nations and the future of Sino-US relations, he said.

Peng Chao in Chengdu and Qin Feng in Xi'an contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn