A Taiwan visitor tries his hand at pounding glutinous rice cakes. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

A cultural exchange group from Taiwan – made up of calligraphers, painters and university students – had a really great time on Feb 15 celebrating the Lantern Festival in Tangqi ancient town in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province.

Savoring the great vibes on the Grand Canal, they dived right into traditional customs, trying their hand at pounding glutinous rice for New Year cakes and also making intricate rice dough figurines.

Calligraphers from Taiwan write blessing couplets for the Chinese New Year. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

For many, it was a journey of discovery. Taiwan student Li Hsin-ting, visiting the Chinese mainland for the first time, was captivated by the vibrant colors of rice dough art – receiving hands-on guidance from local artisans.

Meanwhile, Wu Chiung-chuen, a Taiwan painter, marveled at the exquisite copper sculptures created by Zhu Bingren, a renowned copper artist, calling them "a breathtaking fusion of art and culture".

Dressed in traditional hanfu apparel, members of the group also hand-painted lanterns with auspicious symbols. As night fell, they enjoyed a reunion dinner under the glow of lanterns and moonlight, reflecting on the day's experiences.

With their journey continuing to the Taiwan Young Artists' Creation Base for collaborative art sessions, the visitors expressed their hope for more Taiwan friends to experience the Chinese mainland firsthand, calling it an unforgettable trip.

The visitors don hanfu to pose for a group photo. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]