China Releases | Watching Pandas, Learning Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Visiting Chengdu Counting the "Impressions of China" Culture of Athletes at the Universiade | Experience | Universiade

On August 2nd, China Net reported that the 31st Summer Universiade for World University Students is currently underway in Chengdu. Sports delegations from all over the world gathered in Tianfu City, China. While striving to compete to the best of their ability, athletes also immerse themselves in Chinese culture. The long-standing Chinese civilization and unique urban charm have left a profound impression on the guests.

Martinez performs Chinese martial arts. Video screenshot

"Chengdu is a very clean and tidy city, and I especially like the sidewalks and cycling greenways filled with flowers and trees." Sean James, Deputy Head of the Australian delegation, said in an interview with a small press team organized by the Chengdu Education Bureau before the competition. The competition venues have high standards and high-quality facilities, and I can feel the hard work and full preparation that Chengdu has put in for it. "I hope to deepen exchanges and cooperation with other countries through this competition, and provide more opportunities for Australian students' learning and growth."

On the evening of July 29th, the Universiade held the "Youth In Time" Athlete Party. Chinese and foreign athletes, young artists, and volunteer representatives presented an artistic feast of traditional and modern fusion, as well as exchange of Eastern and Western civilizations, in the form of folk music, dance dramas, martial arts, rap, street dance, magic, and other forms. After the celebration, Martinez, who represented Spain in a martial arts competition, performed a complete set of martial arts movements outside the venue. His coach Rodriguez said that he came to China this time to learn about some Chinese culture, especially Chinese kung fu.

On July 17th, at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, members of the Brazilian delegation arriving in Chengdu took photos of the decoration of the Universiade mascot "Rongbao" inside the airport while waiting for luggage. Photo Gallery of Xinhua News Agency/Photo taken by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Bingjie

The giant panda is the most popular cultural business card in Chengdu. "Most foreign athletes are very interested in giant pandas and face changing culture," said a staff member of the official licensed retail store of Chengdu Universiade Village. The mascot "Rongbao" has become the "image ambassador" for conveying friendship at the Universiade. On July 31st, sports delegations from Brazil, Romania, and Switzerland visited the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base and saw the prototype giant panda "Sesame", the mascot of the current Universiade "Rongbao". Everyone took photos and even made video calls with their families to share their happiness.

It is understood that in addition to the Panda Base, the Organizing Committee of the Universiade has carefully sorted out more than ten cultural exchange points, including the Sanxingdui Museum, and launched 11 boutique experience routes, including the "World Heritage Classic Tour" and the "Three Kingdoms Cultural Range Tour"; The exhibition hall of the Chengdu Universiade Museum displays over 900 physical objects and over 80000 collections of literature and images; A cultural market has been set up in the Dayun Village, where athletes can purchase various Chinese handicrafts; The Dayun Village Interactive Experience Center holds multiple intangible cultural heritage skills and traditional cultural experience activities every day, including Shu embroidery, facial makeup, shadow puppetry, New Year paintings, kites, etc. It also sets up a "Chinese Bridge" for foreign athletes to learn and experience Chinese and Sichuan dialect, and adds traditional Chinese medicine and massage experiences. It can receive more than 200 delegations every day.

Estonian track and field athlete Dennis Samiana shared his training and life in the Universiade Village on his Tiktok account. Video screenshot

Italian athlete Degani Nicol completed his Xinjin rope weaving work under the guidance of his teacher. "A rope can be woven into beautiful patterns through simple actions, which is full of challenges and fun, so that I can appreciate the charm of Chinese handicrafts." After half an hour of on-site experience, athletes can also keep the "auspicious knot", which means good luck, as a souvenir for their own collection, to bring back the good memories and wishes of this trip to China to their country.

Dutch badminton player Mahmoud Alam learned to write the word "fu" stroke by stroke, and with the help of volunteers, downloaded the electronic version of "100 Chinese sentences for the Universiade" to learn Chinese. Azerbaijani track and field athlete Nazim, who also experienced Chinese calligraphy, is also a Chinese enthusiast. He said that Chengdu is the city he has always wanted to come to and hopes to take to the streets of Chengdu after the competition to taste authentic Sichuan cuisine.

Chengdu cuisine and culture are indeed irresistible, and many athletes have expanded their experience to the down-to-earth "Lotus Pond" wholesale market, square dance teams on the streets, and hot pot restaurants near Dayun Village. For these rich off field activities, American athlete Zion James said, "The experience of the Universiade was very good, and this cultural exchange made the Universiade more interesting."

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