Local Culture and Life Captivates Foreign Internet Celebrities

The local culture and life experience in Beijing fascinates a group of foreign social media influencers when they step into Jingshan Subdistrict Civic Cultural Center and visit Beijing's new landmarks, including the Corner Tower Library and Huaxi Live·Wukesong.

On Day-3 of the 2020 Silk Road Rediscovery Tour of Beijing's New Development on December 10, the curious foreign guests from 9 countries experienced a new life in Beijing and learned Chinese classical dance, and Chinese calligraphy and also learned how to make dough figures.

"Meihousishi", meaning beauty remains with changing four seasons, offering special connotation for the Jingshan civic cultural center. It provides local residents with public cultural services like reading, operas and culture creativity.

Wang Tiefeng, Deputy Director of the Communication Department of the CPC Dongcheng District Committee and Director of Information Office of Dongcheng District, stated that Dongcheng District has prioritized cultural development through intensified investment and construction, catered to various local cultural needs with higher quality public cultural services and consistently enhanced the sense of gains and happiness of the citizens.

Harald Simeon Buchmann, an economic and political commentator from Switzerland, learns Chinese calligraphy. [Photo by Yin Hongyan]

Foreign social media influencers watched and learned Chinese classical dance, and experienced Chinese calligraphy with the help of calligraphers from the neighborhood.

"People here are energetic. They enjoy their life. They dance, sing and dress themselves. These people love the city. I can see delight and pleasure from their eyes. It's great for them to express themselves in Beijing," said Fernando Munoz Bernal from Colombia.

Fernando Munoz Bernal, a video blogger from Colombia, learns Chinese classical dance. [Photo by Yin Hongyan]

Lee John Barrett, a video blogger from UK, commented that "People in Beijing and even across China exercise in the morning, dance, and do Tai Chi every day, which I can't see in UK."

Lee John Barrett, a video blogger from UK, shoots a video with a dance teacher at Jingshan Subdistrict Civic Cultural Center. [Photo by Qu Yi]

Foreign social Media influencers take selfie with elder chorus members at Jingshan Subdistrict Civic Cultural Center. [Photo by Yin Hongyan]

The Corner Tower Library appeared in the first list of 2020 must-see sites in Beijing on November 18. "I've traveled around the world in the past decade. I visited Beijing before, but I see new changes this time," said Martin Stokic, a photographer from Croatia, after visiting the library. 

Martin is amazed to see people gather together to exchange ideas, share common interests and hobbies, discover the meaning of life and fulfill their spiritual needs in the Corner Tower Library.

Also in the library, the foreigners had their first try in making dough pandas. Abdelaziz Ahmed, an anchor of CCTV-4 from Egypt, said that it was not only funny, but also inherited the culture. In his eyes, Beijing's citizens are blessed. "I've been here for nearly 7 years. The new Beijing amazes me. I want to stay here for the rest of my life."

Abdelaziz Ahmed, an anchor of CCTV-4 from Egypt, showcases his art work, a dough panda. [Photo by Qu Yi]

Foreign social media influencers pose for a group photo around the commercial area of Huaxi Live·Wukesong. [Photo by Qu Yi]

Strolling around the commercial area of Huaxi Live·Wukesong, another destination in the list of 2020 must-see sites in Beijing, the social media influencers found people's life in Beijing is different from that in other cities. Life in Beijing is more than just food and entertainment. People live here and enjoy the culture, while other cities are looking at Beijing as an example.