Thirty expatriates living in Shanghai embarked on a cultural journey to Sijing Ancient Town on March 27 to learn more about Shanghai's rich history and cultural heritage.
Participants take a group photo at Sijing Ancient Town. [Photo/HICC]
The tour, organized by the Hongqiao International Talents Service Center in partnership with several local partners, aimed to deepen participants' appreciation of Shanghai's cultural roots.
Participants started their tour at the historic Anfang Pagoda, guided by professional English-speaking guides. They explored the town's scenic corridors and visited the Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum to learn about China's ancient medical practices.
Over lunch, attendees savored local delicacies like xiaolongbao, a type of small Chinese steamed bun, and engaged in lively conversations, fostering cross-cultural friendships. The journey continued with visits to the former residence of educator Ma Xiangbo and the Songfeng Listening Pavilion, where they experienced traditional guqin music.
A participant experiences playing guqin (a seven-stringed Chinese zither). [Photo/HICC]
The highlight of the day was a performance of Sijing's "Ten Brocade" drumming and shadow puppetry, both recognized as intangible cultural heritage. The expatriates even tried their hands at manipulating the puppets, gaining a firsthand appreciation for this traditional art.
A participant tries her hand at manipulating the puppets. [Photo/HICC]
The tour concluded with visits to the Sishui Qingfeng Plaque Culture Museum and the Yongjiang Craftsmanship Pavilion, where participants experienced the ancient mortise and tenon technique.
The Hongqiao International Talents Service Center plans to continue creating such opportunities for cultural exchange, enhancing the integration of international talents into local life.
