By Chen Miaolin
“I must place Hangzhou at the top of my China travel bucket list!” Students from the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia who took part in the Serial Overseas Promotion Activities of the Hangzhou League of International Students were pleasantly surprised by China’s 5000-year-old charm.
Four weeks ago, an event titled “Hangzhou, A Window to China’s 5000 Years: Serial Overseas Promotion Activities of the Hangzhou League of International Students” at New York University resonated deeply with Gao, a Hangzhou native studying in the US. “After viewing the Hangzhou promotional video, I felt completely satisfied!” Gao exclaimed, “Hangzhou boasts a wealth of beautiful locations. As a local, I am genuinely proud and wish for more people to discover the charm of my hometown.”
Since Nov 25, Hangzhoufeel and the Returned Overseas Chinese Federation of Hangzhou have embarked on an international promotional tour, visiting New York in the US, Waterloo in Canada, Brisbane in Australia, and London in the UK. In partnership with GaGro and local student unions, they have been sharing the rich tapestry of Chinese culture and showcasing Hangzhou’s distinctive historical legacy and contemporary allure to a global student audience. This initiative has not only alleviated the homesickness of individuals like Gao but also introduced many new friends to the multifaceted charm of Hangzhou through a series of engaging activities.
Multifaceted charm of Hangzhou in light and shadow
Gao, a first-year graduate student at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, has spent five years in the US. When describing his hometown Hangzhou, he often finds himself in awkward situations. “Hangzhou boasts a rich culture and breathtaking scenery, a blend of classical elegance and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. Yet, when I mention its geographical location, people have no clue at all.” Gao said, feeling his beloved city is being overlooked.
After the inaugural event at New York University, Gao felt a sense of triumph. Alongside more than 70 students from various corners of the globe, he savored tea and delicacies like West Lake lotus root powder and immersed himself in high-quality video programs showcasing Hangzhou’s diverse allure, revealing the city’s multifaceted charm to an appreciative audience.
After the screening, Lee, an Indian volunteer in New York, sighed with relief, saying he was soothed by the scenery of Hangzhou. “When you want a break from city life, I think Hangzhou could be a very therapeutic place to visit.”
“Beautiful” is Kate’s first impression of Hangzhou. After watching a series of Hangzhou videos at the University of Waterloo in Canada, this Canadian lady who had lived in Suzhou for two years felt a little “annoyed” to herself: “I had lived in Suzhou for about two years, but I didn’t realize that Hangzhou was so close yet so beautiful!” As a software engineer, Kate also noticed Hangzhou’s technological development, focusing on its vitality and innovative environment.
Carina, also from Canada, said she was expanding her horizons: “At first, I honestly didn’t know much about Hangzhou at all. Attending the event really opened my eyes and was very informative. Now, after watching the videos, I’ve learned about its technological innovation, tea culture, fashion industry, and sports events... This city truly has many facets!”
Feast for the senses: experiencing creative Chinese culture
The events are a feast for the senses, featuring delectable cuisine, enchanting music, and the artful strokes of ink painting. It’s a celebration where traditional Chinese elements are given a creative twist, bringing them to life in a modern context.
At the New York event, the star attraction was undoubtedly the ink portrait painting booth. Nancy, an ethnic Mongolian girl donning her traditional attire, arrived with her friends and took a seat, eagerly awaiting her turn. The artist, Duncan, focused intently, his brush dancing across the paper, deftly capturing the spirit of his subjects with just a few masterful strokes.
Additionally, there was the engaging, ancient Liangzhu-themed coloring game, featuring the most iconic sacred human-animal motif from the Liangzhu culture. Participants could unleash their creativity by coloring in the motifs according to their personal preference, resulting in a one-of-a-kind Liangzhu logo. This New York event coincided with the second “Liangzhu Forum” in Hangzhou, sparking a fascinating dialogue between the two cities situated at opposite ends of the globe.
In Brisbane, Australia, the event offered a taste of Hangzhou with aromatic Longjing tea and delicate mung bean cake, accompanied by the enduring beauty of classical dances and the melodic performances of Jiangnan silk and bamboo music. Wang Yanan, a biology Ph.D. candidate studying in Australia and classical dancer, captivated the audience with her performance of Longing, her movements fluid and full of emotion, vividly portraying the protagonist’s deep yearning for her beloved.
Sunny, a junior at the University of Queensland, savored the Longjing tea and mung bean cake, and with that, the name “Hangzhou” transformed from a distant concept into a vivid reality. Having relocated to Australia at the age of 13 with her parents, she had always been fascinated by the stories of Chinese cities. “For eight years in Australia, I’ve heard tales of Hangzhou’s stunning landscapes and delectable cuisine,” she remarked. “Every bit of the experience at this event was as wonderful as I had imagined. Hangzhou definitely tops my China travel bucket list now.”
At the London event, which concluded on Dec 12, Fred, a student from Burma, captured his vision of Hangzhou on a blank fan with a painter’s touch. His artwork featured a steaming cup of aromatic Jingshan tea, the expansive waters of West Lake with its sweeping bridges, a cutting-edge robot dog symbolizing technological progress, and the serene pleasure of cycling through bamboo forests. Reflecting on his creation, Fred said, “Hangzhou boasts not only the picturesque West Lake but also a modern cityscape, brimming with vibrancy and offering a cultural experience distinct from my own hometown. This has heightened my anticipation for what Hangzhou has to offer.”
Embark on a journey of discovery in Hangzhou
“Hangzhou League of Int’l Students” is a warm and supportive sharing platform launched by Hangzhoufeel. We welcome Chinese students abroad and international students in Hangzhou to follow @hangzhoufeel on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or to sign up to become a member of the league by emailing to hangzhoufeel@126.com. Join us and experience a unique feel of Hangzhou.