Local traditions in Tongxiang fascinate foreigners
2019-04-02
Thirteen staff writers, photographers and embassy staff from over 10 countries gather for a group photo in Tongxiang city, East China's Zhejiang province on March 30, 2019. [Photo by Chen Weimin/chinadaily.com.cn]
The activity "Discover Tongxiang", co-organized by the government of Tongxiang city and China Daily, was launched Saturday in Tongxiang city, East China's Zhejiang province.
A group of 13 staff writers, photographers and embassy staff in China from over 10 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Morocco and Hungary attended the activity.
They experienced traditions of Qingming Festival, inspected beautiful rural scenery, explored local characteristics and culture, and felt the charm of the city where the modern and traditional coexist.
A foreigner tries out silk weaving on a loom in Tongxiang city, East China's Zhejiang province, March 30, 2019. [Photo by Chen Weimin/chinadaily.com.cn]
According to a folk legend, the deity of the silkworm passed Tongxiang and left good luck. Anyone who went out for a hike during the Qingming Festival could take the luck home and get double the harvest of silk. Thus, people hold a ceremony to worship the deity of the silkworm, and other activities to pray for a good silk harvest.
Yvonne Horst, the travel blogger from GoYvon who has lived and worked in China for six years, visited Tongxiang for the first time.
"I haven't seen a ceremony held in the Qingming Festival. What I know about the Qingming Festival is it is a festival to commemorate ancestors. I think it's just family members going to sweep tombs together. However, there is such a big event to celebrate the harvest in Tongxiang, which gives me a chance to get a deeper understanding of the local culture," Horst said.
Foreigners wearing han clothing take a selfie in Tongxiang city, East China's Zhejiang province, March 31, 2019. [Photo by Li Jin/chinadaily.com.cn]
The beautiful spring scenery in Tongxiang fascinated the foreigners as well. They dressed in han clothes, appreciated plum blossoms and tasted plum wine. They also tried bamboo weaving, fan paintings and other intangible cultural heritage projects themselves to understand the local culture.
Akhil Parashar, a journalist with CRI Online, wore han clothes for the first time.
"I think the city has profound historical and cultural connotations. Wearing such traditional clothes gives me a sense of traversing time and space, and also gives me a more personal experience of Chinese traditional culture," he said.
Locals join a group of foreigners for bamboo weaving in Tongxiang city, East China's Zhejiang province, March 31, 2019. [Photo by Li Jin/chinadaily.com.cn]
A foreigner dressed in traditional han clothes looks at a display, March 31, 2019. [Photo by Li Jin/chinadaily.com.cn]
Foreigners wrap rice dumplings in Tongxiang city, East China's Zhejiang province, March 30, 2019. [Photo by Chen Weimin/chinadaily.com.cn]
Foreigners pose for a group photo in Tongxiang city, East China's Zhejiang province, March 31, 2019. [Photo by Li Jin/chinadaily.com.cn]
