Around 100 expats from nearly 30 countries and regions gathered in Banpu village, Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, on Feb 1, to join a series of festive celebrations ahead of the Chinese New Year that falls on Feb 17 this year.

The 800-year-old village buzzed with excitement as the foreign visitors — mostly faculty members, students and their families from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) — were greeted by pounding drums and folk dances staged by local people.

While strolling among the village's 24 cultural heritage sites dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1911), visitors peered into its past as a hub of water transport.

Laughter and joy filled the air as they made dumplings, rolled spring rolls, and pounded rice cakes, helping turn the centuries-old village into a lively space for cultural exchange.

John Burrows, a British educator at UNNC who has lived in Ningbo since 2016, was excited to take part in the celebrations.

He said his family enjoys exploring areas around the city, and that this chance to visit Banpu village and chat with local people helped bring people closer and broaden his perspective.

Derek Irwin, a professor of applied linguistics at UNNC, tried his hand at pounding rice cake and praised the residents' skills. "They are incredibly hard-working with their mallets. I wish I could pound rice cake all day, but I'm not quite strong enough," he said.

After experiencing Chinese New Year traditions, the expats visited residents' homes and decorated their courtyards with festive couplets, red lanterns and gifts.

Burrows brought cookies baked by his family, and in return, the hosts offered snacks and red envelopes. "Meeting different people and experiencing their way of life is always fascinating," he said.