Traditional culture in east China county draws international guests

A large number of international guests have been drawn to Ninghai County in east China's Zhejiang Province, immersing themselves in the culture of its villages and enjoying warm welcomes from local people eager to share their traditional practices.

Recently, a traditional long-table banquet was held in the county's Qiantong Ancient Town, an exceptionally well-preserved town built during the Song Dynasty (960–1279).

Given the rising popularity of rural tourism in China, it was no surprise that the 300 tickets for the event sold out within a few minutes. However, local organizers had not expected the event to bring so many guests from overseas to the 200-meter-long table.

"I especially like the tall (long) table, it's actually a new experience for me," said an international visitor.

"The atmosphere here is lively and I really like it. The dishes arrived still hot, crispy and delicious," said another overseas guest.

Inspired by the stories of Xu Xiake, an explorer and travel writer from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), more than 100 overseas students also visited old villages in the county, where they learned traditional crafting techniques like paper cutting.

"I can experience traditional culture and I also like that in this village. There are some old traditional things," said an overseas student.

"This place is so beautiful, with many delicious foods," another student said.

The students also learned to make a kind of traditional dessert that symbolizes good wishes for longevity.

"It's my first time to see it. It's very interesting. I want to learn new things," said one of the students.

"I feel really amazed there, really happy. I was really enjoying this experience to do it," said another.

Local people were more than willing to share these ancient practices with young people from around the world.

"Through hands-on experience, our foreign friends can more easily understand our traditional culture. Our communication like this is more sincere and unforgettable," said Liang Lanlan, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor.

Traditional culture in east China county draws international guests

Residents from Colombian capital city of Bogota expressed their gratitude to China's humanitarian aid supplies for the country's quake-affected communities after a shipment of 80-tonne relief supplies arrived on Tuesday.

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck western Colombia on Aug 10. The death toll from the quake had risen to 304, with 4,548 people injured and 426 others missing, the country's disaster management agency said Tuesday.

The items, including generators, mobile water purification vehicles, medical disinfection gears, solar-powered lights, tents, and blankets, are urgently needed in the country which is facing the enormous challenge of relief and reconstruction.

"This is excellent. The earthquake was devastating and we are thankful to China and everyone who is helping and putting their grain of sand," said Raimundo Montemiranda, a security guard.

"Thankful to this help, and any help is going to be helpful from people and countries. This is solidarity and the unity of the world," said Eduardo Prieto, an insurance salesman.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said Monday night that about one-third of Colombia had been affected by the quake, which was centered in San Jose del Palmar in the department of Choco.

He said preliminary estimates put direct economic losses from the earthquake at nearly 30 trillion Colombian pesos (about 9.6 billion U.S. dollars), including 24.5 trillion pesos in building damage and 5.5 trillion pesos in infrastructure damage.

Domestic and international humanitarian aid are both keeping pouring into the hardest-hit areas while search and rescue teams are still working in places where people may remain trapped under the rubble.

Bogota residents express gratitude to China's quake relief supplies for Colombia