Foreign youths experienced the printing techniques used in handmade Chinese fans in the 72-households Village on Aug 8, 2024. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

A group of young people from Algeria, Belarus, Ecuador, Iran and the United States has been given a taste of the natural beauty, economic prosperity and technological prowess of the city of Taicang in Jiangsu province.

Their visit to the city on Aug 8 began with a tour of the Yangtze River + Tree Farm, which has a 2-kilometer shoreline, and where they indulged in kayaking. They also took part in digital mortise and tenon workshops, immersing themselves in ancient Chinese artisanship.

Susan St. Denis, 26, an American studying at Tsinghua University in Beijing, and who has more than 140,000 followers on TikTok, said she particularly enjoyed the kayaking.

"I loved the scenery, and kayaking is incredibly engaging and challenging. I find it quite akin to rowing, which I'm proficient in, both requiring teamwork and impeccable coordination."

Abalfazl Delkhasteh, 29, an Iranian who is also studying at Tsinghua, and who is a content creator on the Chinese video platform Bilibili, with more than 25,000 followers, said he particularly enjoyed the digital mortise and tenon workshops. "Crafting my first tenon and mortise joint was a revelation. It's very environmentally friendly, and because no nails are used I'm smitten by this millennia-old Chinese ingenuity."

The next stop for the visitors was the Taicang All-for-One Tourism Reception Hall, an exhibition space that combines digital technology with immersive, multi-sensory art experiences.

Adriana Chavez, an Ecuadorian studying at Shanghai University, said she found Taicang's culture alluring.

"A 3D film on the voyages of the explorer Zheng He was "breathtaking", she said.

Another memorable experience for her was being taken on a 4D dynamic cinema journey, chronicling Taicang's historical transitions and aspirations.

"It's amazing to see such monumental transformations happen in this county-level city," Chavez said"The policies on market administration and regional regulations, government services and living environment pave the way for smooth progress of this city. Taicang's economic vistas promise prosperity for its residents and foreign partners alike."

The visitors also toured the Aerospace and Aviation Industry Exhibition Center, which provides a comprehensive overview of Taicang's aerospace and aviation industry. Dylan Austin Walker, an American journalist in China, marveled at the innovation and sustainability of Chinese companies.

"Taicang has made great strides in fostering industrial clusters," he said.

As the visitors strolled through Liuhe Ancient Town, Addou Amira Mama, an Algerian studying at Shanghai University, said she was fascinated by the Jiangnan-style scenery. As she lapped up the sight of six bridges connecting northern and southern riverbanks and the old street lined with shops and residences, she said, "It's like a living, breathing traditional Chinese painting, exuding the timeless charm of a bygone era."

Ekaterina Kaligaeva, a Belarusian studying international relations at Peking University, said she was impressed by the printing techniques used in handmade Chinese fans in 72-households village which is located at the estuary of Liuhe River.

Holding a fan she had made, she said, "Chinese intangible cultural heritage has always been a profound allure for me, and I can't wait to give this to my best friend."