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Expats make tangyuan (glutinous rice dumplings) in Jiaxing. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_dce4a5933cde]

Over 20 expats from countries including the United States, France, Italy, and Canada gathered with residents in Haining, a county-level city in Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, for a Lantern Festival celebration on March 2, experiencing traditional Chinese culture.

Guided by local artisans, the expats learned how to make tangyuan (glutinous rice dumplings), from kneading the dough to shaping the dumplings. As they crafted, they also learned about the cultural significance of tangyuan, which symbolizes reunion during Lantern Festival.

The event also featured local specialties such as Haining braised pork, Chang'an fish meatballs, and Haining rice cakes.

As night fell, the 2026 Haining Xiashi Lantern Fair kicked off with intricate lanterns and colorful light displays, creating a festive atmosphere for both residents and expats, who captured the scenes with their cameras.

Expats also visited Xu Zhimo's former residence and explored local intangible cultural heritage, including Haining shadow puppetry and Xucun silk weaving. This event highlighted the charm of Chinese traditional culture and deepened the expats' understanding of Chinese customs and Jiaxing's local heritage.