Five university students from Russia recently visited Shigang town, Tongzhou district, Nantong, where they delved into its rich heritage while enjoying mouthwatering delicacies and rural charm.

Their itinerary started with an exploration into a neo-Chinese style attire shop, running their fingers over the silky traditional textiles and picking their favorites.

Zhao Xincheng helps a student to carve wood. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_69405777156b]

Mentored by redwood carver Zhao Xincheng, the group enjoyed a hands-on experience of this traditional craft at a workshop. They were stunned by the wisdom passed down over millennia while engraving patterns on the wood veneer.

Russian visitors take a look at fermented bean curd products. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_69405777156b]

In addition to observing the production process and having a taste of fermented bean curd, girls were also treated with herbal chicken soup simmered in an earthenware pot and smoked barbecue.

At a coffee shop refurbished from a village cottage, they sipped on coffee while savoring the far-off rural vista where winding bays and channels for fishing and expanses of flower seas blended in beautiful harmony.

The group hold their calligraphy work. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_69405777156b]

Within a calligraphy studio, the students worked together, using gentle Chinese brushstrokes to create their one-of-a-kind pieces on rice paper.

One of them, who had studied calligraphy before, was captivated by the timeless beauty of Chinese characters, whose structures are imbued with the deep philosophies of balance and harmony inherent in Chinese culture.