Expats participate in the Nansha Cultural Exchange and Chinese Language Class. [Photo/gznsnews.com]

A group of foreigners from the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, the Netherlands and Nigeria got a chance to experience Guangzhou's Chinese New Year celebrations first-hand through a special activity on Jan 23.

The Nansha Cultural Exchange and Chinese Language Class is an activity for expats in Nansha that provides them with an opportunity to partake in festivities and learn the Chinese language. The foreigners learned how to make dumplings, Chinese knots and paper-cuttings for window decorations.

A foreigner shows off a paper-cutting she made during the activity. [Photo/gznsnews.com]

Chloe, a UK citizen and English teacher in Nansha, said she did not miss a single class throughout the activity. She said that the more she learned, the more interested she was in Chinese culture. 

Connor, an Irishman and football coach in Guangzhou, made a Chinese knot with red and yellow silk threads during the activity. The two colors represent the Irish royal family, and he hoped the knot would bring him good luck.

Foreigners show off their paper-cuttings. [Photo/gznsnews.com]