To celebrate the Qingming Festival, international students at Donghua University recently took part in a series of cultural activities, including making

qingtuan

— a traditional green dumpling made from glutinous rice flour mixed with mugwort juice and typically filled with sweet red bean or lotus seed paste — as well as pressing dried flowers onto round silk fans and hand-painting kites. The event offered students a hands-on experience of traditional Chinese customs.

Making Qingtuan and Experiencing the Tradition

The Qingming Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday that falls between mid-spring and late spring, is a time for both remembrance and renewal. People honor their ancestors by visiting and tidying up their graves, while also enjoying the season’s beauty with outdoor outings. With roots stretching back to ancient spring rituals, Qingming is one of the most important and heartfelt ancestral commemorations in Chinese culture.

Qingtuan is a beloved springtime snack from the Jiangnan region, closely associated with the Qingming Festival. It has a pleasantly sweet, non-cloying taste and a delicate fragrance.

The chef prepared all the necessary ingredients, including dough mixed with green juice, as well as salted egg yolk and red bean paste fillings. As the chef demonstrated how to wrap the qingtuan, curious students gathered around to watch. Soon, many tried making qingtuan themselves.

Pressing Flowers on Round Fans and Hand-Painting Kites

After enjoying the delicious  qingtuan, participants moved on to the next activity: pressing dried flowers onto round silk fans and painting kites by hand.

Flying kites is a traditional part of Qingming. People write their worries or wishes on the kites and let the wind carry them away — a symbolic way to bid farewell to troubles and embrace a fresh start. Meanwhile, the round silk fan, or tuanshan, is a classic emblem of springtime romance in Chinese aesthetics.

Using dried spring flowers, the students pressed natural textures onto plain white fans, crafting their own unique visions of spring. Then, with brushes in hand, they let their imaginations soar — painting free and creative designs on blank kites.

A Look at Their Work

In addition to the activities organized by the International Students Center, various levels and classes of the Chinese Language Program also held their own Qingming-themed events. Below is a selection of the students’ wonderful work.

Thank you to all the students for their enthusiasm and creativity, which helped bring the beauty of traditional culture to life.

Source: Donghua University