On March 2, a lively cultural exchange event brought international students to Cangma town in Qingdao West Coast New Area. The immersive program offered a unique insight into Chinese Spring Festival traditions, encouraging a vibrant exchange of global perspectives and local heritage.

The journey began with an exhibit on intangible cultural heritage, where intricate New Year paintings, paper-cutting, and flour sculptures depicted regional folk customs. The event's energy grew as a local art troupe performed Jiaodong yangge dance and Cangma drumming. Inspired by the rhythmic beats, the students joined in to learn the traditional dances and try drumming, creating an atmosphere of laughter and cross-cultural camaraderie.

The experience deepened during hands-on workshops. Guided by master craftsmen, the students kneaded dough to make huabobo (decorated steamed buns). In other sessions, they practiced paper-cutting and dipped brushes into ink to write the Chinese character fu.

Riddles tied to colorful lanterns provided a playful intellectual challenge, helping students decode the symbolic meanings of Chinese blessings.

By integrating foreign affairs resources with local cultural centers, this event offered international participants a tangible way to "read" and understand China.

International students try their hand at making adorable traditional steamed buns. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

International students display their handmade paper-cutting artwork. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Students experience local traditions through folk dance and drumming. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]