Students immerse themselves in Spring Festival festivities in Huzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Nantaihu App]

A group of 13 international students from Zhejiang University of Technology has visited Jing'eshan village in Deqing county, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, for an immersive experience of Chinese New Year traditions.

The students, hailing from countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Jordan, Indonesia, and Turkmenistan, participated in a series of lively cultural activities celebrating Spring Festival.

Guided by a local dragon dance expert, the students grasped dragon dance poles and mimicked his steps to the rhythm of drums. The powerful beats and the undulating dragon body made for a lively encounter with this traditional Chinese folk art.

The students also wrote the Chinese character "Fu", which symbolizes good fortune, using calligraphy.

They were also intrigued by the traditional sugar painting on display. Golden syrup was poured from a copper ladle onto a silver metal plate, forming intricate shapes. Within seconds, a lifelike sunflower-shaped sweet emerged.

"This is my first time experiencing Chinese New Year in person, having previously only seen it on TV. There are so many interesting activities, and we had a lot of fun," said Ye Siyuan, a student from Kyrgyzstan.

At the bustling Spring Festival market, the students interacted with vendors in Chinese, learning about various festive goods. This unique cultural journey allowed them to truly feel the joyous Chinese New Year spirit.