Eighteen-year-old Pensart Romain observed parallels between exhibits in Changsha and Montargis' historical sites. Romain said: "Our shared history bridges the distance. It's a legacy we should cherish."

The cultural immersion extended to tea culture at a local tea plantation, where students picked tea leaves and observed traditional processing techniques.

Last year, representatives of Changsha county and Montargis planted an osmanthus tree at Songya Lake, commemorating the establishment of the sister-city relationship between the two sides. Earlier this year, secondary school students from Changsha county visited Montargis to promote cultural and education exchanges.