With the first morning light gracing the "Spring City," "Chinese Bridge" contestants from 33 nations embarked on an immersive Spring Festival journey, using Chinese as their boat and culture as their bridge. Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the "Chinese Bridge," this transnational encounter painted a warm tableau of civilizational dialogue in Kunming.

Reciting the poem of Spring in Daguan Tower

Laughter filled Daguan Park on the morning of January 19. The Daguan Tower, renowned for its "longest couplet in the world," welcomed a distinguished group of guests. Contestants tried their hand at calligraphy, writing the Chinese character "fu" (meaning blessing), and skillfully crafted paper-cuts. They immersed themselves in the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year, enveloped by the sweet aroma of sugar paintings and the elegance of lacquered fans. In the lantern riddle corner, they engaged in lively discussions in fluent Chinese, their intellectual exchanges adding warmth to the winter day.

Yang Jing(Michael Mubaiwa), a Zimbabwean youth, sighed, "After my Chinese improved, what I could see and hear became immensely richer." This postgraduate student, who has been in China for seven years and is currently pursuing Clinical Medicine at Kunming Medical University, has found that Chinese is the "key" to a deeper understanding of Chinese life. His simple yet warm New Year's wish is: "I'm looking forward to visiting a Chinese friend's home and enjoying an authentic reunion dinner."

Embracing the reunion of family in Damoyu Village

In the afternoon, Damoyu Village on the outskirts of Kunming came alive with the authentic aroma of local life. At the Long Street Banquet, contestants sat shoulder-to-shoulder with villagers, savoring genuine Yunnan rural cuisine. Amidst the clinking of bowls and chopsticks, flowed their shared yearning for "reunion."

American Youth Li Zigen (Jake Pinnick)

Li Zigen(Jake Pinnick), an American youth dressed in Taoist robes, is a successor of the Wudang Sanfeng Sect. Having lived in China for fifteen years, he says, "Coming here feels like returning home." Speaking of the Spring Festival, he beams with joy as he describes the lively tradition of his fellow apprentices "taking turns hosting gatherings." He adds, "This warmth of a large family gathering around is precisely why I am so attached to China."

As evening descended, a distinctive "Village Gala" kicked off to the sound of gongs and drums. Performances followed one after another: Russian songs, Indonesian Dai dance, and crosstalk by Malaysian and Ghanaian contestants. An American contestant performed a lion dance atop a long bench, while the intangible cultural heritage of "face-changing" performances wowed the audience. As bonfires lit up the night sky, young people from various nations joined hands with villagers to dance folk dances, where different cultural beats wonderfully harmonized.

Belgian Youth Dai Luke(Deckers Lucas) 

Belgian youth Dai Luke(Deckers Lucas) keenly observed, "Festivals blend with daily life, and this authenticity makes us feel incredibly comfortable." This "son-in-law of Guangxi" plans to "return to his hometown for Chinese New Year" this year. "This is a Chinese custom," he said, "and I am part of the family too."

Continuing the Chapter: Tapping into the Pulse of Spring City's Past and Present

On January 20, the exploration continued. At the Dounan Flower Market, dubbed "The Flower Capital of Asia," contestants personally arranged their "Chinese New Year Bouquets," experiencing the industry's philosophy of "Making the World More Beautiful."

In Guandu Ancient Town, they immersed themselves in the exquisite arts of Yunnan-style dough figurines, silver-inlaid black copper, and cloisonne. Through conversations with inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, they touched the living pulse of culture.

From Cuihu Lake to the Old Street area, contestants strolled amidst the city's shimmering lights and shadows, experiencing the unique rhythm of Kunming's "symphony of ancient and modern" as historic architecture intertwined with trendy cafes.

Chinese as the Bridge, Spring City as Home

As young people from various countries sang "Where is Spring?" in Chinese, their voices, though with diverse pronunciations, carried the same sincere emotions. Kunming, with its year-round comfortable 17℃ winters, blooming flowers everywhere, and inclusive daily life, embodies the poetic sentiment of "Flowers bloom everywhere in the Spring City."

From the cultural gathering at Daguan Tower to the rural warmth of Damoyu Village, and the fusion of ancient and modern in the ancient towns and old streets—this "Spring City Encounter" proves that language is not just a tool for communication, but a bridge connecting hearts. Kunming, with its openness, warmth, and diversity, is making every "bridge" encounter possible, planting a seed of "connection" in the hearts of young people worldwide.