International Students from Huaiyin Institute of Technology Visit Yushan Tea Plantation to Celebrate Folk Traditions and Savor Tea Culture

As the Dragon Boat Festival approached, a unique cultural exchange activity was held at the Yushan Tea Plantation in Huanghuatang Town, Xuyi County, Huai’an City. International students from Huaiyin Institute of Technology visited the tea plantation to immerse themselves in traditional Dragon Boat Festival customs and experience the charm of Chinese tea culture.

At a villager’s home on the plantation, the students enthusiastically took part in making zongzi. Local craftsmen gave a detailed demonstration of the entire process—from selecting reed leaves and soaking glutinous rice to filling and wrapping. The students experienced the cultural essence of the Dragon Boat Festival by folding leaves and tying them with silk thread.

International students try making zongzi

The tea culture experience was equally engaging. In the Yushan Tea Plantation’s livestream studio, Rania from Morocco and Jiayi from Nigeria acted as “international promoters” for Yushan tea. They held Yushan spring buds while introducing local tea products and shared the unique tea traditions of their home countries with the audience. This “tea-fragrant dialogue” transcending borders not only effectively promoted Yushan tea, but also shared the elegance of Chinese tea culture through international cultural exchange.

International students promoting Yushan tea

The activity was jointly organized by the State Grid Xuyi County Power Supply Company, the Institute of International Education at Huaiyin Institute of Technology, and Yushan Tea Plantation. Centered around Dragon Boat Festival customs and tea culture, the event provided international students with a meaningful window into traditional Chinese festivals and rural industry development. It effectively promoted mutual cultural exchange and understanding, creating a bridge for local cultural heritage to reach a global audience.(Article/Photo by Liang Shuang, Zhao Qirui)