Noodle Yang – one of seven Nujiang National Middle School students to participate in a cultural exchange program with Horsham College – said she loved her time in the region.

‘‘It has been very enjoyable,’’ she said.

‘‘I think Horsham is like a picture – it is very beautiful.’’

Noodle said visits to the Halls Gap Zoo and the Melbourne Aquarium were among the highlights.

The Chinese students spent the past fortnight with host families.

Horsham College student Victoria Potter, who went on exchange to China last year, said she enjoyed the opportunity to show Chinese visitors the region.

Horsham College education exchange co-ordinator Brandi Galpin said it was rewarding to watch the students’ relationships develop.

‘‘They knew each other before this visit, but this time they have come to know each other really well,’’ she said.

‘‘We have had a great time with our Chinese friends. They have participated in classroom activities, learned about our culture and visited some regional attractions.

‘‘It will be sad to say goodbye. It has been a very enriching experience for everyone involved.’’

The Chinese students visited the Horsham and Grampians Visitor Information Centre on their last day.

The centre has a display about Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, the students’ home city.

Horsham Rural City Council has a sister city friendship agreement with Nujiang, one of eight autonomous prefectures in the Yunnan Province in south-west China.

Horsham Mayor Mark Radford said the display included books and flyers containing colourful images of Nujiang’s unique natural environment.

‘‘We thought it was important to show the students our display of their beautiful prefecture during their time in Horsham,’’ he said.