Guests at Amazonia Wok have fun stamping their own Ningbo-themed designs. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

A touch of Ningbo — located in East China's Zhejiang province — recently brightened the streets of Madrid. That's as the Chinese city's images and cultural motifs arrived at one of the Spanish capital's busiest Chinese restaurants.

The Amazonia Wok, part of the Hermanos Shangrila Grupo Gastronomico, drew long lines of diners waiting to get in at the Parque Corredor mall.

Outside, the Ningbo in Light and Shadow exhibition transformed the entrance into a lively cultural corner — featuring cityscapes, handcrafted fans, graphic stamps and bookmarks celebrating intangible heritage.

"I was captivated by the city's three rivers image while waiting," said a local. "My son works at Huawei here in Madrid, so seeing China feels very close to home," the resident continued.

Another visitor, added: "My son is traveling to China next week. This mixed-style building is fascinating — I'll suggest he visits Ningbo."

Even children joined in the fun. An 8-year-old Spanish diner carefully stamped a "Don Quixote" design, while his father remarked: "I never imagined our knight could appear on a Chinese seal!"

Alonso Zhan Zhu, president of the Hermanos Shangrila Grupo Gastronomico, emphasized the broader mission: "Culture isn't just on the walls but it's in the dishes we serve and the warmth we share," he declared. With over 3,000 employees from diverse countries, he believes that treating people well is a precept that crosses borders. "Through a meal, a smile, or a stamp, culture slowly takes root," he added.

The Ningbo exhibition will remain permanently at Amazonia Wok, giving Madrid diners a lasting taste of the city's history and spirit.