International students experience the dragon dance. [Photo provided by Tianjin International Studies University]

Spring equinox, the fourth solar term of the year, fell on March 21 this year. It signals that spring has arrived and that the bleak wintry landscape is giving way to a warm spring breeze and blossoming flowers.

Tianjin International Studies University, in collaboration with Hongqiao district's Party Committee, invited about 100 international students to admire the peach blossoms along the banks of the Grand Canal in Tianjin's Hongqiao district on the spring equinox day.

In picturesque Xigu Park, international students tasted Tianjin specialties such as tea soup and lyudagun ("donkey rolls", glutinous rice rolls with sweet bean paste).

Traditional intangible cultural heritage performances such as diabolo, dragon dance, and martial arts also attracted international students to watch, and even to join in.

The students then walked from Xigu Park to the banks of the Grand Canal, admiring a sea of peach flowers swaying in spring breeze. The foreign students also put on traditional Chinese hanfu to take photos against the background of blooming peach flowers, feeling the ease of spring.

The event was covered by various media outlets and internet platforms including xinhuanet.com, chinanews.com.cn and chinadaily.com.cn.