A cultural event celebrating the start of winter was held in Kuliang, Fuzhou, on Nov 8, featuring traditional customs, handicraft workshops, and interactive games that invited visitors to experience local traditions and Kuliang's distinctive mountain lifestyle.

Visitors from China and abroad take part in fun activities in Kuliang, Fuzhou. [Photo/FZ Evening News]

The event marked li dong, or Start of Winter, one of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms. It brought together Fuzhou's seasonal food traditions, intangible cultural heritage activities, and Kuliang's century-old history as a mountain retreat.

Since the late 19th century, expatriates from more than 20 countries have built hundreds of summer villas in Kuliang, helping shape a community where Chinese and Western cultures have intersected. Its historic villas, forest trails, and mountain lifestyle remain an integral part of the area's cultural heritage.

At Cedar King Park, the sound of gongs added a festive note to the winter landscape, reflecting the traditional connection between seasonal customs and nature. At DiamondreaM Bookhouse, visitors tried their hand at making lacquer fans, decorating them with designs inspired by Kuliang's woodland scenery.

At the Kuliang Club, two interactive games introduced visitors to local winter food traditions. "Fishing for Warmth" drew on the Fuzhou custom of eating tangyuan, or glutinous rice balls, around li dong, a tradition associated with family reunion and togetherness. The game offered a fun way to learn about the custom.

Another activity, "Four Winter Nourishments", introduced participants to seasonal ingredients and traditional approaches to winter eating.

Bringing together seasonal customs, local ingredients, traditional crafts, and Kuliang's historic setting, the event offered visitors a closer look at the cultural traditions of Fuzhou.

The event was part of Kuliang's efforts to develop seasonal cultural activities that showcase its natural surroundings, history, and local traditions.