"How joyful it is to have friends come from afar!" In celebration of friendship and cultural exchange, Gangcheng District launched the "Foreign Friends Explore Gangcheng" event, inviting international guests from countries like Russia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar to explore the rural charm and traditional culture of Gangcheng.

"Delicious! This is so good!" "A cooking robot? That's amazing!" "Finally, I get to see orchids up close!" The foreign guests enjoyed local delicacies like honey-coated snacks and mooncakes from Qiaodian Village in Xinzhang Sub-district. They even visited the kitchen to observe a cooking robot at work. The integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism in this tech-savvy village gave the visitors a tangible sense of rural revitalization, presenting them with a fresh, modern countryside.

Continuing east from Qiaodian Village, the guests arrived at Dagou Village, where colorful pathways, dark-tiled roofs, white walls, and ancient-style homes captured their attention. The picturesque, eco-friendly environment allowed the visitors to savor the beauty and romance of village life. "There’s even a bar in the village, I like it!" said one guest. "I want to bring my friends here. Living here would be so happy," another added.

The poetic scenery of the countryside left the visitors wanting more. At the Shandong Qiaoduo Tiangong Furniture Company, they marveled at the exquisite rosewood furniture, taking photos and enjoying the craftsmanship. They were especially impressed to learn that the intricate patterns on the furniture were hand-carved and that the pieces were durable without the use of nails or glue. "I've only been in China for three weeks, and my impression was still limited to what I saw online. These crafts are incredible; they’ve shown me a different side of China," said Olya from Russia.

At Zhenxing Community in Wenyuan Sub-district, the traditional cultural experiences intrigued the international visitors. With pens in hand and ink on paper, they learned to write their names in Chinese calligraphy, with each stroke deepening their understanding of Chinese culture.

Meanwhile, in another area, the guests enjoyed learning the art of embroidery. "I was born in 1994, and I want to make an embroidery of my zodiac animal," said Anam Sabaa Akram from Pakistan, as she carefully stitched her design.

"Everything here is so relaxing. I absolutely love this beautiful place," one guest commented. "I can't wait to visit again," said another. "This has been an unforgettable experience." From the beauty of the mountains and rivers to the joy of exploring the countryside and the excitement of hands-on cultural experiences, the visitors said they would share their experiences with more friends, encouraging them to visit Gangcheng, get to know the area, and fall in love with it.