Beijing hosted an immersive cultural celebration on Tuesday as international students gathered to experience traditional Chinese Spring Festival customs during the Little New Year festivities. The event, organized at the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, provided young scholars from across the globe with hands-on exposure to China’s rich cultural heritage and the historical significance of the Beijing Central Axis.
The gathering, themed “Splendid Beijing Central Axis, Joyful Chinese New Year — 2026 Spring Festival Gala for Foreign Students in Beijing,” featured various traditional activities including calligraphy sessions where participants practiced writing fu characters and Spring Festival couplets. These cultural elements represent fundamental aspects of Chinese New Year traditions, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity for the coming year.
The timing coincided with Xiaonian, known as the Little New Year, which traditionally marks the commencement of Spring Festival celebrations in Chinese culture. This preliminary festival serves as an important prelude to the main Lunar New Year events, typically involving house cleaning, sacrificial ceremonies, and special culinary preparations.
The event not only offered cultural immersion but also facilitated cross-cultural exchange, allowing international students to gain deeper understanding of China’s historical legacy while building connections with local communities. Such initiatives reflect Beijing’s ongoing efforts to promote cultural diplomacy and international understanding through educational and cultural exchange programs.
Participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage directly with Chinese traditions that many had previously only encountered through academic study or media representations. The hands-on nature of the activities provided unique insights into the cultural significance behind Spring Festival customs that have been maintained for centuries.