Around 150 international students from countries including Thailand, India, Ethiopia, and South Africa visited Taizhou's Hailing district on May 23, as part of the 2026 Belt and Road Youth Sports Exchange Week (Jiangsu).
The group embarked on a cultural journey through the city's iconic landmarks, blending athletics with local cultural heritage.
The tour kicked off at the Mei Lanfang Memorial Hall, where international students marveled at the legendary Peking Opera master's life and artistry.
Young people from various countries visit the Mei Lanfang Memorial Hall in Hailing district on May 23. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
"Although I couldn't understand the lyrics, Mei's expressions and gestures completely drew me in," said a Thai student with Zheng Meizhu as her Chinese name. "Today I truly understood what 'art has no borders' means."
As the sun set, the students cruised along the Fengcheng River, listening to tales of Taizhou's history dating back to the Southern Tang Dynasty (937-975).
The group boats on the Fengcheng River. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
The highlight came at Wanghai Tower Scenic Area, where participants tried their hand at shisuo — a stone dumbbell shaped like an old-fashioned padlock — a national intangible cultural heritage sport. A student from Tajikistan lifted an 80-kilogram dumbbell, describing the experience as "incredibly cool".
A Tajikistan student tries his hand at shisuo, a national ICH item in Hailing district. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
Organizers said the cultural activities, scheduled during the Sports Exchange Week's rest days, aim to let the students remember not just the competition, but Taizhou's warmth and beauty.