Foreign vloggers celebrate Chinese New Year in Dali

Foreign vloggers from Russia, the U.S., Italy, the U.K., and Egypt visited ancient architectures of the Bai ethnic group in Dali of southwest China's Yunnan province, and experienced tie-dye handicraft during an experiencing Chinese New Year event held from Feb. 13 to 16 in Dali.

Guided by the China International Communications Group (CICG), and jointly sponsored by the China Center for International Communication Development, CICG, and the Publicity Department of the CPC Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, the 2022“Journey Around China·Foreigners Celebrate Chinese New Year”is a series of activities that collect short videos featuring the Spring Festival, with an aim to tell stories of traditional Chinese culture through the lens of foreign vloggers and show the unique charm of China’s multi-ethnic culture.

The organizers have received 11,400 submissions with more than 60 million views on multiple platforms since the event was launched in January.

In Xinhua village, a town known for its silverware, the foreign vloggers learned about the long local history of making silverware, and made exquisite items themselves under the guidance of the inheritor of gold and silver craftsmanship.

The villagers of the Bai ethnic group held a warm and cheerful bonfire to welcome them, who joined the local people to celebrate the Spring Festival with dances and songs.

Alysa Joy Kees from the U.S. said the bonfire welcome was new to her even after having experienced many ethnic dances and songs.

Later, she and other vloggers visited the ancient town of Xizhou and learned about the history and techniques of tie-dye from local teachers. Kees and the others made their own tie-dye handicraft, and she said she would bring it back home to friends.

In addition to the exquisite craftsmanship and local profound cultural heritage, the elegant landscape of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake in Dali also drew the vloggers a vivid picture of harmonious human coexistence with nature.

Oli Barrett from the U.K. said it was amazing to sit by Erhai Lake and listen to the sound of nature against the backdrop of snow-covered Cangshan Mountain.

Abdelaziz Ahmed Abdelaziz Mahmoud Sallam from Egypt said he was impressed with local streets covered with flowers and with the refreshing dark blue Erhai Lake.

The foreign vloggers visited the Wutong Academy in Dali to make sweet dumplings, taste tea, and watch a lantern show during the Lantern Festival.

Rachele Longhi from Italy said she gained a deeper understanding of reunion by eating sweet dumplings on the special day.