International visitors learn to make tangyuan. [Photo/Tide News]

The melodies of Ningbo's traditional Madengdiao folk tune echoed through the lanes of Waicao village in Ningbo's Jiangbei district. But this time, the young singers were joined by international visitors, creating a lively cross-cultural musical exchange.

Using music as a bridge and the village as a stage, it brought Chinese and international visitors together through a series of immersive experiences, including village tours, fruit picking, folk-song lessons, making tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), and community service.

The Madengdiao session proved especially popular. A local music researcher introduced its evolution from a traditional folk melody into orchestral works, contemporary Chinese-style music and modern vocal performances.

"It's amazing. I don't fully understand the lyrics in the Ningbo dialect, but I can completely feel the joy and warmth," said a German student.

The cultural exchange continued as village seniors taught the visitors how to make tangyuan while sharing stories about Waicao's past and present. At the end of the day, participants delivered the homemade treats to elderly residents living alone or with limited mobility.

Through music, food, and community service, Waicao village turned a summer afternoon into a heartwarming dialogue between generations and cultures.