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Social service agency helps expats explore life in GZ

On a sunny, windy day on September 16, a group of expats and Chinese volunteers were seen visiting Julong Gucun, an ancient village built in 1879 in Liwan district. The visit was organized by Guangzhou New Home Social Service Center, which helps expats in Yuexiu district to adapt to local life and get engaged in the community.

As the bus dropped them off in front of the village, visitors cheerfully found themselves walking into a quiet old neighborhood. They listened to the tour guide carefully and couldn’t help taking selfies and pictures around. The first stop was the Chinese-style wedding hall. Bridal sedan chairs, gongs, wedding decorations and customs captured the attention of expat visitors. Some were excited to pose for the camera in the wedding hall.

An Indian couple sitting in the wedding hall, posing for the camera

Tiger, an Egyptian businessman in Guangzhou, strikes the gong which is used in Chinese-style weddings.

What excited the group most was to try on the Han dynasty (202BC-220AD) clothing, which features large long sleeves and loose-fitting dresses. “It’s good to see something different, because we don’t have this kind of clothes in our countries,” said Eva from Spain. Tony, a student from Sierra Leone who is studying in Guangdong University of Technology, was fascinated by the robe. He “experienced” the life of ancient people in different settings -- reading books, greeting peers and drinking tea -- with his classmates. The visitors also learnt how to make paper flowers.

The ancient village was the second stop of the center’s serial activities in exploring ancient villages in Guangzhou. “I like this kind of activities. I used to study Egyptian and European cultures in Egypt. Now I want to learn about Chinese culture and Chinese language. They fascinate me,” said Tiger, a businessman who wanted to come back with his friends and family.

Besides exploring cultural sites in the city, the agency also organizes different activities to help expats in Yuexiu district establish and live a colorful life in Guangzhou, such as Chinese corners and dumpling-making. For more activities to come, follow the WeChat account “ForeignServiceOfNewHome.”

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