During the May Day holiday, Dongguan Street, a historic Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) thoroughfare in Yangzhou, hosted a themed garden party featuring a fusion of cultural sights, interactive experiences, delicious flavors.
The party includes touhu, a pitch-pot or dart-throwing game. [Photo/yznews.cn]
At its center was a cultural bazaar featuring more than 20 traditional artifacts such as Yangzhou lacquerware and paper-cuttings. Tourists tried printing tuanshan (round fans) and customizing paper-cuttings of their zodiac animals.
Additionally, a special interactive zone on Yangzhou three knives (a kitchen knife, a pedicure blade, and a shaving razor) allowed tourists to observe and appreciate the meticulous craftsmanship of local artisans.
Lanterns featuring the names of Yangzhou's famous attractions are hung from a beam. [Photo/yznews.cn]
From a Huaiyang zaocha (early morning tea) experience area next to Xie Fuchun, a century-old cosmetic store, to a corridor of time-honored delicacies at the street's terminus, the garden party captured the essence of Yangzhou's culinary culture.
Traditional favorites like cherry-scented fermented bean curd, delighted taste buds with their unique blend of tradition and springtime flavors. Meanwhile, modern foodie favorites, such as Chagee, one of China's most popular milk tea brands, offered a contemporary twist, catering to the preferences of younger visitors.
A quaint shop sells various products at the party. [Photo/yznews.cn]
Technology also injected fresh vitality into the party. High-pressure micro-mist technology was used to evoke the serene ambiance of Jiangnan in misty rain. Thanks to virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, tourists enjoyed panoramic tours and immersive interactions at an exhibition on Classic of Mountains and Seas, a revered ancient Chinese text.