Visitors explore Ningbo-themed cultural displays at the Piano Cafe in Tawau, Malaysia. [Photo/Yongpai app]

A coffee break in Tawau, Malaysia, now comes with a chance to discover Ningbo, a port city on China's east coast.

A small cultural display showcasing Ningbo recently opened at the Piano Cafe, a popular spot in downtown Tawau, Sabah. Part of Ningbo's One-Meter Space initiative, it introduces visitors to the city's maritime history, landmarks, and local traditions.

Instead of bringing people into a museum or exhibition hall, the project brings a little of Ningbo into a place where people already gather. Customers can browse the display, learn about the city, and get a glimpse of its culture over a cup of coffee.

The setting is particularly fitting. Located on the southeastern coast of Borneo, Tawau shares Ningbo's close ties to the sea and a history shaped by maritime trade.

The display has already caught the attention of cafe visitors, sparking curiosity about the Chinese city.

Liu Xiaohui, who runs the Piano Cafe and comes from a fourth-generation Chinese-Malaysian family, said she had never been to Ningbo but was keen to learn more after seeing the display.

The Tawau installation is the latest example of Ningbo taking its culture overseas, one small space at a time.