“Arrived and Don’t Want to Leave!”?Welcoming Foreign Friends in the Season of Light Snow

As the Chinese saying goes, “It is a great joy to have friends visiting from afar.”?On November 22, during the Xiaoxue (Light Snow) solar term, Gangcheng District in Jinan City hosted the “Foreign Friends Explore Gangcheng”?event. Six guests from Russia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar were invited to immerse themselves in the rural charm and traditional culture of Gangcheng.

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?”Delicious, so good!”?“A robot cooking? That’s amazing!”?“Finally, I see a real orchid up close.”?The foreign visitors eagerly sampled local specialties like Misan Dao (a honey-glazed dessert) and mooncakes made in Qiaodian Village of Xinzhuang Subdistrict. They also visited the kitchen to witness a robot chef in action. This “tech-infused”?village, which integrates agriculture, culture, and tourism, offered the visitors a tangible sense of rural revitalization and showcased a new image of China’s countryside.

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?Continuing eastward from Qiaodian Village, the group arrived at Dagou Village, where colorful pathways, black-tiled roofs, white walls, and traditional architecture presented a picturesque and idyllic rural scene. The ecological and livable beauty of the countryside left the visitors in awe.”There’s even a bar in the village! I love it.”?“I’m bringing my friends here to visit—it’s such a happy place to live.”?The “poetry and faraway charm”?of the countryside left a lasting impression.

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　　The group was further amazed by exquisite redwood furniture at Shandong Qiaoduotian Craft Furniture Company. Surrounded by an array of exquisite handcrafted pieces, the visitors stopped frequently to take photos and immerse themselves in the craftsmanship. Upon learning that the furniture was assembled using traditional hand-carving techniques without nails or glue, they enthusiastically praised Chinese craftsmanship.?“I’ve only been in China for three weeks, and my understanding of it was limited to what I saw online. These techniques are so impressive and have shown me a completely different side of China,”?said Olya from Russia.

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?　　At Zhenxing Community in Wenyuan Subdistrict, the foreign guests eagerly engaged in traditional cultural activities. Guided by a calligraphy teacher, they practiced writing their names in Chinese characters, marveling at how the written script connected them to Chinese culture.

While some were focused on calligraphy, others learned embroidery.

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“I was born in 1994, so I want to make an embroidery piece featuring my zodiac animal,”?said Anam Saba Akram from Pakistan, as she carefully stitched to experience the beauty of Chinese intangible cultural heritage.

“This place is so relaxing and beautiful—I absolutely love it here.”?“I can’t wait to come back again.”?“This has been an unforgettable experience.”?From the stunning landscapes to the vibrant villages and novel cultural experiences, the visitors were deeply moved. They expressed their eagerness to share their experiences with friends, encouraging more people to explore, learn about, and fall in love with Gangcheng.

(Source: Gangcheng Integrated Media)

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