International and local students from Shanghai University were recently invited to participate in the Dragon Head Raising Festival held at the Jiangnan Sanmin Cultural Village in Shanghai's Chongming district, engaging in an array of traditional cultural activities.

SHU students take a group photo at the event. [Photo/WeChat account: StudyatSHU]

Karina Fallas, a sociology master's student from Costa Rica, delved into the art of making scented candles using tea leaves. She said, "I sensed a profound traditional Chinese cultural ambiance here. The instructors guided me through the process of making candles infused with the essence of tea leaves, an entirely new experience for me. As an international student, such activities allow me to deepen my understanding of Chinese culture."

Karina Fallas makes scented candles with tea leaves. [Photo/WeChat account: StudyatSHU]

Zhu Xiquan, a master's student from the International School of Education, learned the art of Qi Tang Dian Cha – a process of adding hot water and whisking the tea seven times – from an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage. Beginning with warming the teacup and blending the tea paste to whisking the tea, Zhu gradually absorbed the essence of tea culture. He said, "The instructor gave us a very detailed introduction to the names and usage of various tea brewing utensils. Each utensil has unique functions and the process of brewing tea is full of ceremonial significance. I had no idea there were such unique ways of drinking tea; it was very enlightening."

Students learn the process of whisking tea. [Photo/WeChat account: StudyatSHU]

Source: "StudyatSHU" WeChat account