A group of 20 teenagers from San Francisco visited Guangzhou on Wednesday to explore traditional Chinese culture at the Children's Palace Guangzhou.
The group participated in courses showcasing classic Chinese arts, including calligraphy, paper cutting, martial arts, table tennis, and guzheng, a traditional stringed instrument.
Wei Xiaoli, principal of the Children's Palace Guangzhou, welcomed the visitors. "We hope everyone can fully experience the unique charm of Guangzhou and bring back the city's enthusiasm and hospitality to their hometown," Wei said.
Douglas Mendoza, 17, said he learned a lot during the paper-cutting class.
"It was hard, but you just have to find the right angles to cut," he said. Mendoza added that it was his first visit to China. "It wasn't what I expected. I'm impressed—it exceeded my expectations."
Many of the teenagers said they felt the festive atmosphere of Guangzhou and, through the dragon boat activities, formed connections with local residents. They expressed a desire to serve as bridges for U.S.-China friendship.
Eason Li, who has visited China several times before, said, "This is my first time in Guangzhou. I like the city—it's great."
Over the past few days, the young Americans also participated in various cultural activities, including observing and taking part in the local dragon boat competition, learning the traditional craftsmanship of dragon boat heads, and engaging in water training exercises.
A Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office official said the visit was organized to help American teenagers gain a deeper understanding of China and Guangzhou.
Guangzhou and San Francisco established friendship-city ties in 2024. Since then, the two cities have actively conducted exchanges in areas including education, youth programs, and healthcare, fostering mutual understanding and friendship.
Reporter: Xie Hongzhou
Photo: Xie Hongzhou
Editor: Yuan Zixiang, James Campion, Shen He
