Expats from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China learn traditional Chinese calligraphy in Hualong village on July 13. [Photo/UNNC]

A group of expats from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) visited Hualong village in Ningbo, Zhejiang province to experience a day of rural life on July 13.

Hualong is an ancient village in Dongwu town, Yinzhou district and home to a traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy institute as well as peach and watermelon plantation bases. 

Foreign teachers and students from different countries, including Germany, South Korea and Mauritus, experienced peach picking, visited the Hualong Painting and Calligraphy Institute, and learned calligraphy under the guidance of local teachers.

Selma von den Hoff, a German student, has been in the city for over one year, but this was her first time picking peaches in a village. 

"It is wonderful," said Hoff, "The peaches are sweet and the village is beautiful."

Malaysian teacher Cheah Wooi Ping is still new to the city. Hualong village offered brand new experiences that were unlike anything he witnessed in cities such as Beijing and Shenzhen. 

"It was worth the trip, getting to pick such delicious peaches on my own," said Ping. 

The activity is part of an event entitled "Living in China", which was launched by the university to help foreign teachers and students better assimilate into local life and promote cross-cultural communication through various activities.