Tasting Millennia-Old Heluo, Celebrating China-Pakistan Friendship: A Multi-Dimensional Chinese Cultural Experience in Luoyang

LUOYANG, China, August 15, 2026: An immersive cultural exchange event bringing together Chinese and Pakistani educators and students was held in Luoyang on Saturday to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan.
Led by Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan, Dean of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sargodha, a delegation of more than 10 faculty members and students from Pakistan visited HeroBoss Technology (China-Pakistan Economic and Cultural Exchange Center) and participated in the event titled “Tasting Millennia-Old Heluo, Celebrating China-Pakistan Friendship – Multi-Dimensional Chinese Cultural Experience Event.”
The one-day programme combined traditional culture, intangible cultural heritage, history, cuisine and modern technology, providing the Pakistani delegation with an opportunity to experience Chinese culture through direct participation.
Henan Opera: Experiencing Chinese Culture Beyond Language
The programme began with a performance of Henan Opera, featuring excerpts from Mu Guiying Takes Command and Chao YangGou. Although the Pakistani visitors did not understand the Chinese language, they were captivated by the performers’ expressions, gestures, movements and distinctive sleeve techniques.
Following the performance, several students were invited on stage to learn basic opera movements and poses under the guidance of professional performers. Their enthusiastic attempts were met with warm applause.
One student observed that the emotions conveyed through Chinese opera could be understood through facial expressions and gestures, demonstrating how cultural exchange can transcend language barriers.
Dumpling-Making: Sharing the Warmth of Home
The delegation next participated in a traditional dumpling-making activity. With flour, wrappers and a variety of fillings prepared by the hosts, the Pakistani guests learned to roll the wrappers, add fillings and shape the dumplings.
As the activity progressed, participants became increasingly confident and created dumplings in different shapes, including crescents, ingots and flowers. Laughter and conversation filled the venue as the guests worked alongside their Chinese hosts.
Afterwards, the freshly cooked dumplings were served with vinegar and chili oil. Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan described food as a universal language and said the experience allowed the visitors to experience the warmth and hospitality associated with the Chinese concept of home and family.
Luoyang Spade: Experiencing Traditional Craftsmanship
In the afternoon, the delegation visited a forging workshop to learn about the history and contemporary applications of the Luoyang spade, a traditional tool closely associated with archaeological exploration.
An inheritor of the traditional craft explained how the Luoyang spade has been used in archaeological prospecting and other fields. The Pakistani visitors then participated in a hands-on forging activity, taking turns using hammers to shape metal under the guidance of experienced craftsmen.
The rhythmic sound of hammering and the heat of the forge gave the participants a direct experience of traditional Chinese craftsmanship.
One student remarked that the Luoyang spade had once helped uncover traces of ancient civilizations and, through the activity, had provided the visitors with a new way to explore and understand Chinese history.
Luoyang Museum: Tracing Historical Connections
The delegation also visited the Luoyang Museum, where they viewed historical artefacts illustrating the cultural exchanges that took place along the ancient Silk Road.
Among the exhibits that attracted particular attention were Tang Sancai figurines depicting Central Asian merchants, Eastern Roman gold coins and Persian silverware.
Dr. Awan noted that the exhibits demonstrated the long history of interaction and exchange between China and regions connected by the ancient Silk Road, providing a historical context for today’s growing people-to-people exchanges between China and Pakistan.
Night Tour: Experiencing the Splendour of Sui-Tang Luoyang
As evening arrived, the delegation visited Luoyi Ancient City, where traditional architecture, illuminated landmarks, cultural performances and intangible cultural heritage displays created an immersive historical atmosphere.
The illuminated Wenfeng Pagoda and reflections of lanterns on the water provided a striking backdrop as visitors in traditional Hanfu costumes moved through the streets.
The Pakistani delegation also explored stalls featuring traditional crafts such as sugar painting and dough figurines. In a traditional courtyard, performances featuring the pipa and guzheng further enhanced the historical atmosphere.
A water-screen light show depicting the grandeur of ancient Luoyang through modern projection technology impressed the visitors.
Dr. Awan described the experience as more than sightseeing, saying that the combination of historical culture and modern technology made the visitors feel as though they had travelled back to ancient Luoyang.
A Pakistani student also expressed admiration for the immersive experience, saying that seeing Chinese history and culture presented in such a vivid way was something that could not be fully conveyed through books or films alone.
Technology Meets Tradition
A drone light show provided another highlight of the evening. A formation of drones created patterns inspired by the Silk Road and traditional Chinese imagery against the night sky, complementing the illuminated Wenfeng Pagoda.
The combination of digital technology with traditional cultural landmarks offered the Pakistani visitors a glimpse of how China is seeking to preserve its cultural heritage while embracing modern innovation.
Strengthening People-to-People Bonds
During the closing exchange, Ms. Wang Chunping, Chairwoman of HeroBoss Technology, said that experiences ranging from making dumplings and forging a Luoyang spade to watching opera and modern light shows had allowed the Pakistani guests to experience Chinese culture through sight, touch, taste and participation.
She said HeroBoss Technology would continue to promote regular China-Pakistan cultural exchange programmes, including youth study tours, joint exhibitions of intangible cultural heritage and cultural salons.
Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan welcomed the initiative and said the Confucius Institute at the University of Sargodha would consider Luoyang an important destination for practical cultural training and study programmes for Pakistani students in China.
He expressed the hope that more young Pakistanis would travel along the Silk Road, experience Chinese culture firsthand and return home with stories that could further strengthen understanding between the peoples of China and Pakistan.
The event demonstrated that China-Pakistan friendship extends beyond official cooperation and is increasingly being strengthened through education, culture, youth exchanges and shared human experiences. By bringing people together through everyday cultural experiences, such initiatives can help transform the long-standing friendship between the two countries into deeper and more meaningful people-to-people connections.