On the afternoon of February 3rd, invited by the local community, nearly 40 international students from around 20 countries at Shanghai University gathered at the Mingzhitang Museum in Jiading. They took part in a special Lunar New Year event filled with traditional festive activities, immersing themselves in the unique charm of Chinese culture.

International Students Celebrate Lunar New Year with Jiayuan Community Office

The event kicked off with a lively and energetic lion dance that instantly lit up the atmosphere. To the powerful beat of gongs and drums, the colorful lions leaped and danced, drawing rounds of applause and cheers from the students. Many spontaneously took out their phones to capture the vivid and joyous scene, welcoming in the Lunar New Year.

After the performance, the students explored the Mingzhitang Museum, home to China's most extensive collection of inscribed historical bricks. With a guide, they examined pieces from the Han to Qing dynasties. Touching the carved surfaces, they felt a direct, physical connection to a civilization spanning thousands of years, deepening their appreciation for Chinese writing and its preservation in clay and stone.

The guided tour was followed by a series of hands-on cultural workshops that formed the highlight of the event. Students, divided into groups, enthusiastically tried their hand at various traditional activities: making ink rubbings, folding dumplings, creating paper-cuttings, crafting sugar paintings, writing Spring Festival couplets and the character "福" (fortune), and even practicing a dragon dance. Through this interactive participation, they gained a deeper, more engaging understanding of the customs and spirit of the Chinese New Year.

Ink Rubbings (of ancient inscriptions / as intangible cultural heritage)

Dumpling Making

Traditional Paper-Cutting

Sugar Painting Art

Spring Couplet Calligraphy

The 'Fu' Character (Calligraphy for fortune)

Dragon Dance (Experience / Participation)

This event offered international students a lively and immersive encounter with Chinese New Year traditions. By moving beyond observation to hands-on practice, it created meaningful moments of cultural connection. Filled with laughter and the spirit of making, the afternoon provided a genuine and memorable experience of Lunar New Year celebrations.

“What a nice long afternoon spent in discovering Chinese  customs and culture! Thank you for Shanghai University organizing such an event full of activities. A joyful lion dance welcomed us, a bus full of international students. We had opportunity to learn stories carved on stones, make dumplings,  experience how those carved images were transferred on Xuan paper while using Chinese ink, enjoy calligraphy masters’ New Year wishes writings and bring them, and dumplings, back home.”

—— Anna-Maija (An Mei), Finland 

“As a student of Shanghai University, I have had the privilege of taking part in the Chinese New Year celebrations. With each passing year, the experience becomes better and better. I appreciate the university’s efforts to inclusively welcome international students and give us the opportunity to engage with Chinese culture.”

——Hira Ali (Li Ya), Pakistan

“Thank you for the incredible opportunity to experience the Chinese cultural festival. The ancient stones/sculptors, performances and warm hospitality provided us with an unforgettable and deeply meaningful cultural immersion. I sincerely appreciate the invitation and the organizers' hard work in creating such a wonderful event.”

——Mohammad Shahinur Karim (Ka Rui), Bangladesh 

“I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Spring Festival Celebration, which focused on intangible cultural heritage workshops. Aside from visiting impressive cultural heritages, we also participated in drawing, food preparation, and lion dancing, all of which provided unforgettable memories. Participating in activities with international students fosters a sense of community. Chinese cultural heritage reminded me of the pain, hard work, unity, and struggle they had to go through to reach their current level of development. When seen, they appear simple, but they convey profound and intangible meanings about Chinese life. Thank you again to the event organizers.”

——Ayano Gudano, Ethiopia

Source: Shanghai University