On April 20, a diverse delegation of international social media influencers hailing from nations across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Africa – including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Mexico, and Nigeria – kicked off a curated cultural tour of East China’s Anhui Province, centering their exploration on the culturally rich city of Huangshan.
The group launched their journey at Tunxi Old Street, a centuries-old pedestrian thoroughfare that stands as one of the most well-preserved hubs of traditional Huizhou culture, the historic regional civilization that gives Huangshan its deep cultural roots. Walking past wooden storefronts that have stood for hundreds of years, the influencers wove through bustling lanes to unpack the layered, vibrant cultural tapestry that has defined the region for millennia.
Two participants, UK-based creator Joe Burns and Nigerian influencer Oluwabunmi Jimoh, dove deeper into hands-on cultural experiences during the tour. The pair first sampled a full spread of authentic Huizhou cuisine, sampling iconic local dishes that reflect the region’s emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients and meticulous cooking techniques passed down through generations. They also gained exclusive, first-hand insight into the ancient craftsmanship behind Huangshan’s most famous cultural treasures, from intricately carved hand-made lacquerware to the sought-after traditional Huizhou writing brushes and highly prized She inkstones – core tools of Chinese calligraphy with centuries of history rooted in this region.
Beyond handicrafts and cuisine, the two influencers also explored the distinct practices of Xin’an medicine, a specialized branch of traditional Chinese medicine that developed indigenously in the region, shaped by Huangshan’s unique geography and centuries of local medical knowledge. This on-the-ground visit gave the international creators an opportunity to connect with living cultural traditions that remain vibrant in Huangshan today, far beyond the better-known fame of the region’s iconic mountain scenery.
As the delegation continues their tour, their firsthand experiences and social media content are set to share the lesser-known cultural depth of Huangshan and Huizhou with global audiences, building new people-to-people connections between China and communities around the world.