New Year Flavors in a Foreign Land, Warmth in Shijiazhuang: Foreign Friends Embark on a Cultural Journey of Chinese New Year

To enrich the cultural lives of foreigners in Shijiazhuang, on February 13, the Shijiazhuang Municipal Government Foreign Affairs Office organized a Chinese New Year experience event themed "New Year Festive Atmosphere, Warmth in Shijiazhuang" for international experts and student representatives. They're from eight countries, including the United States, Russia, Brazil, and Pakistan, visited Zhengding to immerse themselves in the festive vibe of Chinese New Year.

At Zhengding's Rongguo Mansion, foreign friends eagerly put on the Hanfu they had carefully selected and took excited photos to capture this special moment. Dahai Luo, an American teacher at Hebei Normal University, shared, "I've been in China for ten years and always wanted to try Hanfu. Today, I finally got to wear it—I feel like a movie star!"
During the live performance The Meeting of Baoyu Baochai and Daiyu, which vividly reenacted a classic scene from Dream of the Red Chamber, the foreigners were deeply impressed. Indonesian student Wu Lan excitedly remarked, "What a coincidence! Our teacher just taught us about this scene, and now we're seeing it performed live. I even saw my favorite character, Lin Daiyu, portrayed by an actress!" Thai student Wen Ying, a fan of this literary masterpiece, added, "It felt like stepping into this book—the stories came alive before my eyes!"
Then they visited the Zhengding Museum to explore the city's historical evolution and cultural heritage. As night fell, the foreigners strolled around Zhengding's South City Gate, admiring by the dazzling array of intricately crafted festive lanterns. Laotian student Long Bao reflected, "This is my first time celebrating Chinese New Year here, and my first time viewing lanterns—It's completely different from what I imagined. So magical!"
Through this event, the international experts and students deeply experienced the charm of traditional Chinese culture, fostering greater understanding and appreciation for both Chinese traditions and the city of Shijiazhuang. It also served as a powerful bridge for cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and the world.

Source:Foreign Affairs office of Shijiazhuang Municipal Governmert