Expats try their hands at making tangyuan, a sweet glutinous rice dumpling, during the event in Yiwu on Jan 12. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

A group of expats working and living in Yiwu, Zhejiang province spent some quality time in Yiwu International Trade Market Area 4 on Jan 12 in celebration of the upcoming Spring Festival.

Organizers from Yiwu China Commodity City invited foreign businessmen to experience typical Chinese celebrations with local residents eager to make those away from their families feel at home.

During the event, expats tried their hands at many traditional folk customs, such as wearing traditional Chinese clothes, solving lantern riddles, cutting paper window decorations, tasting local dishes, and making Chinese desserts such as tangyuan, a sweet glutinous rice dumpling.

A Serbian student now studying at Yiwu Industrial and Commercial College said he had a wonderful time making tangyuan and learning about holiday customs, adding that the celebrations have given him more opportunities to interact with Chinese people.

Expats in traditional Chinese clothes pose for a photo. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

People cut paper window decorations at the event. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]