BEIJING, Oct. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Armenian News Agency (ARNA) correspondent in China Gayane Aleksanyan recently traveled to Yichun, Jiangxi Province, to experience traditional Chinese culture for the first time and participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. It was the first time since she was stationed in China that she left Beijing to visit other cities in China, and it was also the first time that she experienced the romance and mystery of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Gayane's first stop was Nanmiao Town, Yichun City. The clean countryside, wide roads and orderly arranged village buildings show the modern appearance of the new countryside. Nanmiao Township has retained a strong martial arts tradition since 1994, when it was honored as the "National Hometown of Wushu". Children practiced kung fu and lion dance in the ancestral hall to welcome the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Gayane said it was very interesting to see the village fair and the kung fu moves taught to me by the martial arts masters made me realize that it is a power that requires skill.

A visit to the Yuanzhou Qiao Tower was another highlight of her journey. As one of the earliest surviving local time observatories in China and even in the world, this thousand-year-old building still stands in the center of Yichun City and has become an important cultural landmark in the area.

I was very curious about the ancient instruments used to measure time here, and even tried my hand at bell ringing, she said excitedly.

At the Xinkangfu Manor, Gayane sampled a rich variety of Yichun cuisine, including Welcome Wuzi Tea, Yichun Fried Noodles, and Binjiang Stir-fried Yellow Beef. She happily described the dishes as so delicious that the only thing she had trouble getting used to was the chili peppers.

In addition to the food, Gayane also got a first-hand experience of Yichun's non-heritage culture. While experiencing the creation of summer cloth painting, she was fascinated by this unique art form from the Jiangnan water town. The teacher used Chinese watercolor paints on the summer cloth, showing the local customs through delicate lines.

On the night of Mid-Autumn Festival, Gayane participated in the closing ceremony of the 18th Moon Culture and Tourism Festival in Yichun. The entire party was themed on Mid-Autumn Moon Worship, Fire Dragon Chasing the Moon, Lotus Lantern Reflecting the Moon and Fireworks Reaching for the Moon. The splendid fireworks display and drone formation show showed Yichun's unique cultural elements in the night sky, creating a visually stunning Mid-Autumn Festival feast.

The fireworks display was so mesmerizingly beautiful that I recorded every wonderful moment with my camera. It was really romantic, she said excitedly, thanking everyone very much for their warm hospitality, and today's experience was unforgettable for me. Everyone is welcome to come to Armenia as a guest!