Walking in ZIBS | Roaming the Cityscape, Savoring the Charm of China Me&China Haining City Exploration 2.0

The north wind begins to blow, signaling the start of winter. On December 2nd, over 30 Chinese and international students from various ZIBS programs excitedly embarked on the long-awaited “Walk in China” Haining City Walk event. On the first weekend of December, they kicked off the second cultural experience journey of the year. Blending tradition with modernity, this event echoed the first session in spring, perfectly capturing the spirit of the year.

Under the warm winter sun, seven roaming groups have assembled. They will head to designated locations to complete challenge tasks, check in, and earn points. Ding! The challenge notification has arrived—please check it out~

Dongshan Park

Dongshan Forest Park Square

First Challenge: Taichi Challenge

ROUND 1: Taichi Challenge

The first stop of this tour was Dongshan Park, a well-known ecological park and morning exercise spot in Haining. The students lined up early and, under the guidance of Master Yao, a national taichi champion, they struck poses and experienced “Chinese kung fu.” What was supposed to be a tense challenge turned into a fun learning session—the master taught seriously, while the students enjoyed the process. They carefully observed every move and stance, staying fully focused and undisturbed as time passed.

If one of taichi’s charms is helping people achieve a “calm mind and focused intent,” then the students had already grasped its essence.

After the learning session, it was time to show off their real skills! Some were eager and confident, while others stayed low-key, hiding their true abilities. Today was also a day to check off experiencing an intangible cultural heritage of humanity!

Aegean Sea Yiwu Small Commodity Market

ROUND 2: Market Challenge

If you’ve never been to the “world’s supermarket” Yiwu, you can follow the students into the Aegean Sea Yiwu Small Commodity Market and experience the live-stream challenge together. Here, amid the dazzling array of shelves, everyone searches for all kinds of Chinese specialty items with auspicious meanings based on challenge clues. Jade ruyi, “福” character calendars, red envelopes… Did you think that was all to the challenge? Each group of students shoots videos, simulates live-streaming, and immerses themselves in real e-commerce scenarios, recommending these Chinese specialty products and Yiwu brands to the audience in front of the “camera.”

The rapid development of the e-commerce economy is one of the defining features of China’s economy today, and online retail and cross-border e-commerce have largely shaped modern life. We hope this first experience with simulated live-streaming will become a small seed for tomorrow’s ZIBSers in innovation and entrepreneurship—let’s wait and see!

Xiashi Lantern Museum

ROUND 3: Lantern Making Challenge

Living in Haining, how could you not know about Xiashi colored lanterns? As early as the Tang Dynasty, Haining’s Xiashi colored lanterns had already earned a reputation across the Jiangnan region. By the Southern Song Dynasty, they were even listed as tribute items. At the Xiashi Lantern Museum in the Nanguanxiang Historical and Cultural Block, Master Wang, an intangible cultural heritage expert, is teaching students how to make vase lanterns.

The main crafting techniques for Xiashi colored lanterns include weaving, painting, mounting, and needle-piercing. In this challenge, students need to complete steps such as gluing the lantern body, sealing the opening, assembling, decorating with gold wire, and attaching double rings. The most skill-demanding part is the gold wire step—the closer the spacing between the threads, the finer the craftsmanship. Though making them is no easy task, everyone enjoys the process, and holding the finished vase lantern brings a great sense of accomplishment!

Yanfen Cottage

ROUND 4: Bookbinding Challenge

The cultural depth of Haining is reflected in the streets and buildings of its old town. The quaint Yanfen Cottage, built during the mid-Qianlong era, once housed over a hundred thousand volumes of books. Here, students pick up brushes and needles, moving between ink lines and paper to experience the art of calligraphy and the craft of ancient bookbinding. Threading the needle, fastening the pages, aligning the book leaves, pasting the corners, threading through the holes, and finally tightening the knots and attaching the cover—a classic book is bound.

Calligraphy is an essential part of experiencing traditional Chinese culture. Students pick up brushes and carefully practice every dot, stroke, and slant. Between ink and rice paper, they write their understanding and love for Chinese culture, inscribing the eight characters: “Change the world, lead the future.” This is the most beautiful encounter between traditional and modern China. Let’s take a group photo to capture this wonderful moment!

By the small bridge and flowing waters of Nanguan Lane Old Street, Caiyi College is about to host a stylish Hanfu fashion show. “China is called Xia for its grand etiquette, and Hua for its beautiful attire.” Hanfu, also known as Huafu, is subtle and elegant, rich in cultural meaning, embodying the aesthetic ideals of the ancients.

Students new to Hanfu culture are thrilled by the variety of robes and outfits from different dynasties—the Daoist robe used as a lining garment or for commoners’ wedding attire, the Yesa worn daily by emperors, princes, and civil and military officials, and the Horse-face skirt, the most typical women’s dress from the Ming and Qing dynasties. They carefully pick the right tops and skirts that suit them, instantly transforming into ancients: refined noble ladies, stern imperial guards, free-spirited talented women, and scholarly gentlemen. Some strike cool kung fu poses, others stroll leisurely along the old street, holding round fans or oil-paper umbrellas, becoming a beautiful sight in their own right. They experience the long-standing and diverse depth of Chinese culture, feeling the blend of tradition and modernity, local and global, inclusion and openness.

ZIBS Lounge

WeLounge

Level 6: Chinese Food Challenge

ROUND 6: Dumpling Challenge

Having successfully “passed five levels,” the students face the final Chinese food challenge—making dumplings. As a traditional festive dish in Chinese folk culture, dumplings have a history of over 2,600 years, symbolizing reunion, good fortune, wealth, and prosperity. The chef from WeLounge demonstrated authentic Northeastern dumpling-making techniques on the spot, with vibrant green vegetable fillings and rich, firm meat fillings. Each group’s dumplings had their own style, but regardless, it was a meaningful experience.

Finally, everyone gathered at WeLounge to enjoy the dumplings, which carry auspicious meanings, chat about the day’s activities, and lively talk with new friends made during the event. On Saturday night, ZIBS was filled with laughter and joy, marking the successful conclusion of the second edition of Haining City Walk. (Click “Read More” at the end of the article to learn more)

**Award Time!**Complete the challenge, check in for points, and redeem your exclusive winter warmer 😉

Student Testimonials****Chong Jing Hui

iMF 2021

My team and I had an absolutely fantastic experience on the city tour! The people in charge of each stop were not only knowledgeable but also engaging, sharing captivating stories and historical insights that made the tour both informative and entertaining. The well-planned itinerary allowed us to explore key landmarks seamlessly, and the group size was perfect for a personalized experience. The tour showcased the city’s diverse culture, architecture, and hidden gems, providing a well-rounded perspective. Among my favorites are the Hanfu experience that brought us back to the ancient Chinese dynasty and also the vase lantern making, where the master shared his experiences on how he embarked on his journey, which were indeed inspiring. Everyone involved in the tour showed great enthusiasm and friendliness and created a positive atmosphere, making the tour thoroughly enjoyable. This city tour is truly a delightful blend of education and fun while exploring the vibrant tapestry of our city.

Swipe up and down to see moreKylie Gabrielle Bono

GCM 2022

I couldn’t be more excited when I signed up for the Haining Exploration hosted by ZIBS last weekend. Thanks to this event, I found some amazing new spots in Haining that I’d never been to during my one year studying here. I also got to connect with new friends from other countries. Overall, it was a fantastic experience and a great chance to unwind. Can’t wait for the future activities!Hebe Carrera

GCM 2022

This is my second time joining the “Haining City Exploration” event organized by ZIBS. I can honestly say I really enjoyed all the activities and challenges designed for us to earn points and win. Every activity, like making lanterns, practicing Tai Chi, or wearing traditional Chinese Hanfu, let us experience Chinese culture and learn more about the history of China and the city we live in. I hope ZIBS keeps organizing this kind of event so that we, as international students, can better understand the place we live in while having fun with our friends.

Swipe up and down to see moreVicky Feng Zhen

GCM 2023

The Me & China Haining Exploration activity was a lot of fun. My team got to do many activities related to Chinese culture. My favorite part was when we did Tai Chi; it was very relaxing, and I’ll probably try it again in the future. We also enjoyed dressing up in Hanfu; at first, we were role-playing as if we were in an old kung fu movie, and then we switched to a dynasty drama. I would recommend people join this activity because it’s worth it. Not only are the prizes good, but you also get to have a great time with your friends.

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(In no particular order)

In the future, the Me & China series will continue to create Chinese social and cultural practice activities for students. More exciting things are coming, so stay tuned.

Me & China

The “Me & China” series is dedicated to creating second-classroom practice activities on Chinese society and culture, allowing international students to experience a real, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive China while traveling, building a “second classroom” for understanding and befriending China, and enhancing international students’ awareness of independently exploring Chinese social conditions.

Editor | Li Songjiao, Liang Huihui
Responsible Editors | Chen Qili, Hong Zhenzhen, Gilles Meira

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