A group of international students from Qingdao University of Science and Technology embarked on an unforgettable cultural journey in Laixi, Qingdao, where they discovered the perfect blend of ancient traditions and agricultural delights.

Seventeen students immersed themselves in Laixi's rich cultural heritage. At the Laixi puppet museum, they watched in awe as fifth-generation inheritor Jiang Yutao brought wooden puppets to life, their delicate movements drawing gasps of amazement. "It's incredible how the puppets seem so alive!" exclaimed a Vietnamese student.

The cultural exploration continued at the traditional steamed bun workshop, where students learned to make intricate flower-shaped buns under the guidance of Chi Jinyan. A Russian student marveled, "It's amazing how Chinese people imbue blessings into their daily food".

But the experience didn't stop at cultural heritage. The students also discovered Laixi's agricultural abundance through hands-on fruit picking. In the grape vineyards and pear orchards, they harvested glistening "Sunshine Rose" grapes and pears. A Turkmenistan student enthusiastically endorsed the experience: "Autumn harvest fruits, come to Laixi on weekends"!

Laixi has successfully combined cultural preservation with agricultural tourism, creating a unique model that attracts both domestic and international visitors. Through initiatives like the "Laixi weekend" program, the city has opened its traditional cultural workshops to thousands of young people and foreign guests, while simultaneously developing modern picking bases and agritourism experiences.

As the students departed, their smartphones filled with photos and their hearts with memories, it was clear that Laixi had achieved more than just cultural exchange — it had built bridges between traditions and the future, between local heritage and global appreciation.

Students create decorative flower-shaped steamed buns in a local workshop, discovering the artistry behind this folk tradition. [Photo/Sdchina News]

Visitors taste freshly-picked fruits at a Laixi vineyard, enjoying the county's agricultural abundance. [Photo/Sdchina News]

International students learn traditional puppetry at the Laixi puppet museum, as they explore China's cultural heritage. [Photo/Sdchina News]