A group of visitors from the United States, Yemen, India and Pakistan enjoyed a memorable trip in Pingyang county, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, on May 20-21, discovering a perfect blend of natural beauty and culture.
Their journey began at the Pingyang Puppet Art Center, where they explored China's diverse puppet traditions in the exhibition hall before enjoying a live performance. Under the guidance of intangible cultural heritage practitioners, they even tried their hands at manipulating the puppets — a delightful yet surprisingly tricky experience.
Expats try to manipulate puppets under the guidance of intangible cultural heritage practitioners. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
For Bhaswati Saikia from India, the experience made her feel surprisingly familiar — echoing the puppet shows of her homeland. She was excited to find that, despite differences, traditional puppetry in both countries draws from ancient mythology. It's fascinating to see how these ancient cultures are linked by puppet strings.
Next, the group explored Pingyang's time-honored tea culture and thriving pet industry, witnessing how the county balances tradition with innovation.
The highlight came on May 21 with a visit to Shunxi Ancient Town. Expats wandered through picturesque landscapes and savored soft, sticky yellow rice cakes, a beloved local specialty.
The She ethnic group living there added another layer of wonder with their bright costumes and unique customs — offering the visitors a colorful glimpse into China's cultural diversity.
Bhaswati Saikia tries on She ethnic costumes. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
