"This is my first time visiting Foshan, and it's so interesting!" said Lin Yijun, a post-90s poet and novelist from Singapore. After watching a lion dance performance at the Foshan Ancestral Temple, she couldn't wait to share the video with friends back home.
From May 26 to 27, the second "ASEAN Young Writers' Tour in China" arrived in the Chancheng District, Foshan. Over 40 writers, poets, and translators from nine ASEAN countries, as well as from China's Beijing, Guangdong, and Guangxi, joined the trip to explore Foshan and seek creative inspiration.
Writers interact with lion dancers at the Foshan Ancestral Temple.
During the visit, the group toured two of Foshan's most iconic landmarks: the Foshan Ancestral Temple and Liang's Garden. Often dubbed the "Palace of Folk Art in the East," the Ancestral Temple houses numerous treasures of Lingnan architecture and artistry. Liang's Garden, one of the four most famous classical gardens in the Lingnan region, is a refined embodiment of southern Chinese garden aesthetics and culture.
Writers explore cultural relics inside the Foshan Ancestral Temple.
After visiting Liang's Garden, Proeung Pranit, President of the Khmer Writers Association, was captivated by the elegant landscape. "I believe many Southeast Asian writers who came here will reflect Foshan's beauty in their works," he said.
Kieu Thi Bich Hau, a Member of the Vietnam Writers Association, praised Foshan as "a beautiful city full of historical depth." She added, "If I have time, I will take my family to visit here," which would be very impressive for tourists.
The group enjoys the scenic lake view at Liang's Garden.
Lin Yijun also shared her excitement: "In Singapore, we also have lion dances during festivals. The performance I saw yesterday was lively and full of energy. These cultural similarities and differences are fascinating. They make me reflect on Chinese identity."
A group photo of the writers in front of Liang's Garden.
The second "ASEAN Young Writers' Tour in China" officially kicked off on May 24 in Nanning, Guangxi. The six-day tour, themed "Travelling with Literature," includes poetry readings, youth writer meetups, and lectures by renowned authors. The group is also visiting cities like Qinzhou in Guangxi, as well as Foshan and Dongguan in Guangdong, aiming to deepen cultural exchange between China and ASEAN countries.
Reporter: Bai Hua
Video: Dai Jiaxin, Xiao Haolong
Photo: Dai Jiaxin
Editor: Huang Qini, James, Shen He
