US teens pose in traditional Chinese opera costumes in Quzhou. [Photo/Tide News]

A group of US students wrapped up a five-day summer camp in Kecheng district, Quzhou, Zhejiang province, on July 16.

The students took part in immersive activities celebrating Chinese culture and reflected on the deep ties forged between the two nations during World War II.

Emily Xiao described her excitement upon arriving in Kecheng. Drawn by the vibrant street life, she and her peers sang from a balcony, delighting passersby who stopped to listen and filmed the spontaneous performance.

At the Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid, the students learned about the 1942 US air raid.

On April 18, 1942, just months after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the US sent 16 B-25 bombers on an air raid to strike Japan's main islands. After bombing Tokyo and other Japanese cities, Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle and his fellow pilots, facing fuel shortages and bad weather, were forced to parachute over the eastern parts of China.

Local Chinese launched a massive rescue operation and helped 64 of the 80 US pilots escape to safety, many of whom found refuge in Quzhou, Zhejiang province. The Chinese people paid a heavy price for their kindness and bravery: some 250,000 civilians were killed by Japanese troops seeking revenge for the raid.

From the historic villages to breathtaking natural scenery, every corner of Kecheng tells a unique story, said Jeremy Aaron Ng, a member of the group. He added that he hopes to return one day and uncover even more of the district's wonders.