Students try their hands at making zongzi. [Photo/Dreaming of Zhejiang: Reading Poetic Jiangnan]

Nearly 90 international students from four universities took part in a cultural tour of Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, on July 2 and 3, experiencing local heritage, cuisine, and landscapes.

The program, "Dreaming of Zhejiang: Reading Poetic Jiangnan", guided participants through a series of curated cultural stops, including historic towns, museums, and heritage sites.

At the opening event, a traditional martial arts performance combined kung fu movements with regional cultural elements, drawing strong interest from participants.

Participants also visited Puyuan Fashion Resort, where traditional water-town architecture coexists with modern design studios and heritage workshops, and the Jiaxing Museum, which traces the region's history from Neolithic rice culture to modern-day advancements.

The itinerary also included Nanhu Lake, where students visited the Red Boat, and Wufangzhai, a century-old food brand known for its zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), where they learned traditional wrapping techniques and local food culture.

On the second day, participants visited Shendang Ancient Town, Guanjiang Garden, and Fengyi village, where they experienced traditional stove painting and other hands-on heritage activities.