During the "33rd Tianjin canal peach blossom culture trade and tourism festival," nearly 100 international students from Tianjin Foreign Studies University (TFSU) were invited to visit Tianjin’s peach blossom park and Xigu park, which were the main venues of the festival. 

On March 22, Tianjin’s Hongqiao district  welcomes nearly 100 international students from TFSU to participate in this year’s canal peach blossom culture trade and tourism festival, experiencing the beauty of spring and the charm of traditional Chinese culture. [Photo by Sun Liwei]

In Xigu Park, these students tasted Tianjin specialty food, such as glutinous millet paste, glutinous rice rolls with sweet bean flour and tea flavored candy. 

Ma Biao, the inheritor of the municipal intangible cultural heritage skill, Candy-making Ma Family, introduced these delicacies to the students, emphasizing the use of pure ingredients and the intricate craftsmanship involved. 

A student from Russia expressed her admiration, saying, "I am a big fan of Tianjin food. I plan to invite my family to China to taste it in the future!”

In Xigu Park, traditional intangible heritage skills like diabolo, the dragon dance and martial arts were also showcased, attracting overseas students to appreciate and participate in them. Under the guidance of the masters, the students learned skills quickly. 

"Hanfu truly embodies the essence of traditional Chinese attire. It's simply breathtaking to wear!" remarked Eileen, a Kyrgyzstani student at TFSU, while adorned in a beige short jacket and a green pleated skirt at the Peach Blossom Dyke in Hongqiao on March 22.

This year, Hongqiao collaborated with the Tianjin Couplets Association to transform the peach blossom park into a couplets cultural park integrated with cultural heritage, cultural inheritance and civilization promotion. 

As the overseas students walked in the peach blossom park guided by professionals, they learned about the culture, history and inheritance. By learning calligraphy, they came to deeply appreciate the beauty of China's traditional culture.

“Through the opportunity of holding the festival, we worked with TFSU, inviting overseas students to appreciate beautiful Spring scenery and experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture. This event guided overseas students in Tianjin to learn more about China in order to have an in-depth understanding about China and love for the country.” said Zhao Yunliang, deputy head of the district’s publicity department.