International visitors from six countries embarked on an unforgettable cultural journey in Xinwu district, Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on Feb 25, immersing themselves in the Taibo Temple Fair and the timeless melodies of the erhu.

The folk parade at the Taibo Temple Fair in Meili Ancient Town began with resonant horn calls, followed by a spectacular lineup of performances, including dragon and lion dances, drum playing, an erhu show, and Xiju Opera, all celebrating the millennium-old Wu Culture.

Meili Ancient Town is considered as the birthplace of Wu Culture, known for its emphasis on harmony, elegance, and refinement, which have deeply influenced Chinese art, literature, and lifestyle over the centuries.

International visitors strike an imposing pose with dragon dance performers. [Photo/Wuxi Lounge]

What left the deepest impression on the guests was the chance to experience drum performances and dragon dances firsthand.

Guided by performers, the international guests tried their hand at playing the drum to a simple tune. Although some stumbled at first, they followed the instructions and soon put on a delightful mini‑show, drawing warm applause from the crowd. "It was my first time trying the Chinese drums," said Samar Kerkeni from Tunisia. "I think I made a good drummer."

The dragon dance proved more challenging. As Elyes Bouchoucha from France put it, "It's really something hard. You have to jump, and then you have to synchronize your moves with everyone else. But I really enjoyed it." After several practice runs, the group struck an imposing pose together, wrapping up their lively temple fair experience.

Elyes Bouchoucha tries playing erhu at the Meicun Erhu Culture Exhibition Center. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Next came Elyes's most anticipated stop: the Meicun Erhu Culture Exhibition Center, where he finally fulfilled his wish to touch and play the erhu, a traditional two‑stringed Chinese fiddle.

Meicun in Wuxi is renowned for its erhu production, merging traditional craftsmanship with industrial techniques, and the center is dedicated to promoting this instrument.

After a detailed introduction to Wuxi's erhu‑making heritage and a stunning performance of the classic piece Horse Racing, visitors were eager to try playing it for themselves.

Elyes, a music teacher, quickly mastered the technique upon touching the erhu and effortlessly played the tune of Happy New Year. "The experience was amazing," he said. "I definitely want to get one before I go back home."

The cultural experience reached a touching highlight when Samar played Ode to Joy on the erhu, beautifully bridging Eastern and Western musical traditions.

A single day in Wuxi is hardly enough to discover all of its charm. Yet this immersive cultural journey opened a wonderful window for these international guests, leaving them eager to explore more of Wuxi in the future.