More than 530 overseas Chinese children from over 40 countries took part in a summer camp in Qingtian county, Lishui, Zhejiang province, from July 8 to 17, immersing themselves in local and traditional Chinese culture.

Campers learned the whole process, from material selection to final product creation, of seal engraving in a class led by expert Wang Feng. The hands-on experience gave them valuable insight into Qingtian's stone culture.

Camper Ying Kexing from Austria expressed her delight in the process and the sense of accomplishment it brought her. "This is my first time trying seal engraving. Seeing the patterns I engraved by myself be stamped on paper with red ink, the sense of achievement is beyond words," said Ying. 

The paper cutting class also captivated participants as they tried everything from simple folds to intricate cuts under the guidance of volunteer teachers.

Participants experience paper cutting at the camp in Qingtian. [Photo/Tide News]

Qingtian has been a host for such camps since 2007, welcoming over 10,000 overseas Chinese children to explore their roots in their hometown. The camp blends language education, traditional arts, and cultural immersion, offering a total of 43 courses including calligraphy, martial arts, and poetry recitation.

The diverse program has left a lasting impact on participants like Ye Rongrong, who plans to share her experiences with her friends in Spain. "If there is such a camp next year, I will invite my friends to participate with me," said Ye.