Inayatul Haq (R) makes zongzi with Chinese residents during a recent event to mark the Dragon Boat Festival in Pingshan. Photos from Pingshan Subdistrict Office

More than 30 Chinese and international families gathered at Innovation Plaza in Pingshan recently to mark the Dragon Boat Festival.

Co-organized by Pingshan Subdistrict, Innovation Plaza, and local enterprises, the event featured a rich lineup of traditional activities, including hand-washing with mugwort water, forehead dotting with cinnabar for blessings, tying five-color silk cords, tasting herbal tea, making sachets, and wrapping glutinous rice dumplings (zongzi). Through hands-on participation, attendees immersed themselves in the festive atmosphere and learned about the festival’s enduring traditions.

The event features a series of traditional activities, including hand-washing with mugwort water, forehead dotting with cinnabar for blessings, tasting herbal tea, and making sachets.

An international volunteer team — including English teachers, investment analysts, photographers, and business operators — introduced folk customs to expat guests in fluent English and chatted warmly with local residents.

As families took part in the various activities, they shared stories about festivals from their home countries and everyday life, turning the plaza into a vibrant space for cross-cultural exchange and community bonding. “A small zongzi holds so much Chinese culture!” one participant said. “It’s great to meet neighbors from all over the world in Pingshan,” another added.

Inayatul Haq, a Pakistani postdoctoral researcher at Shenzhen Technology University in Pingshan, said, “Chinese culture is wonderful. The kids love these activities, and we enjoy the food. We hope to join more events like this in the future!”

Participants make perler bead art.

The event showcased how Pingshan strengthens international community ties through traditional festivals, reflecting the area’s blend of modern vitality and human warmth.

Pingshan Subdistrict plans to continue leveraging its international volunteer team to host regular cross-cultural activities around major traditional festivals. The initiative aims to bring neighbors closer together and maintain a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere ahead of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, to be held in Shenzhen in November.