"Delicious!" said Michelle Elfreda Chandra from Indonesia after picking and tasting a grape straight from the vine. On November 7, Gangcheng District held the "Foreign Friends Tour of Gangcheng," welcoming 12 international guests from Liberia, Indonesia, Russia, and other countries to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture and the beauty of rural landscapes.
At Runzeyuan Vineyard in Dongshijiayu Village, Aishan Sub-district, the group picked Sunshine Rose grapes, savoring their sweet flavor and enjoying the joy of hands-on harvesting. “As soon as I stepped into the orchard, I could smell the sweet aroma, and the taste was truly delightful,” commented Alina Podymnikova from Russia to her friend beside her.
In the Zhenxing Community of Wenyuan Sub-district, calligraphy and paintings on the walls captured everyone’s attention. Innocent Jimiel Mugiya from Zimbabwe eagerly asked the instructor about calligraphy techniques, then carefully crafted his own calligraphy piece. Gathering around the table, everyone enjoyed trying their hand at Chinese calligraphy.
In the tomato greenhouse in Qishanguan Village, the group selected tomatoes to pick. “I found the biggest tomato!” one exclaimed. “This is my first time trying a yellow tomato! And those green ones are edible too!” someone else said. “The sweet and tangy flavor is just right for me.” The group gathered, proudly showing off their “harvest” and enthusiastically sharing their impressions of the experience.
Taking in the rural scenery, relishing the joy of picking fresh produce, and savoring cultural experiences, the students expressed how enriching the Gangcheng tour had been. They felt the unique allure of Chinese culture as well as the vibrancy of rural revitalization in Gangcheng. Many said they would share their experiences with friends back home.
“When can we come back?” “I loved the fruit in the orchards here.” “I’m already in love with Gangcheng!” This Gangcheng tour brought everyone closer to the district and further strengthened Gangcheng’s international appeal.