A group of foreigners were invited to experience Chinese intangible cultural heritage before the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival in Tongzhou district, Nantong on June 2.

The foreigners are from countries including Japan, India, the United States and Laos.

They came to Tongzhou’s Happy Rural (literally Kaixintianyuan in Chinese) Ecological Farm and the Flower Town.

More than 30 foreigners learned to make intangible cultural heritage products from local people before the Dragon Boat Festival which falls on June 7 this year.

This activity has become a platform that promotes local culture and improves Nantong’s image across the world.

They learned to write calligraphy, make rice dumplings or zongzi and tofu, experiencing the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

Currently there are about 3,000 foreigners working and studying in Nantong. In 2018, the gross regional domestic product in Tongzhou district reached 126.5 billion yuan ($18.3 billion), ranking 22nd among the top 100 most economically competitive districts in China.

Two foreigners learn to write Chinese calligraphy in Tongzhou, Nantong on June 2 before the Dragon Boat Festival. This year’s Dragon Boat Festival falls on June 7. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A foreign girl leans to make rice dumplings in Tongzhou, Nantong on June 2 before the Dragon Boat Festival. Chinese people usually eat rice dumplings as a traditional snack during the Dragon Boat Festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]