A foreign student with Changning International School learns to make rice cakes with a wooden hammer. Making rice cakes is a traditional custom dating back some 3,000 years ago.

Over 500 foreign students and their teachers took part in a series of traditional celebrations for the coming Chinese New Year in downtown Changning District today.

The Hongqiao Subdistrict organized the event at Changning International School, where students and teachers were encouraged to guess lantern riddles, make sugar figures, learn to write the Chinese character fu (blessing), paint traditional masks and make rice cakes.

These celebrations are traditional cultural events in various Chinese provinces for Chinese New Year, which falls next Friday.

Jiang Xiaowei / SHINE

Foreign students learn to paint Peking Opera facial masks in a celebration at Changning International School.

The event aims to let foreign students feel the traditional Chinese culture and the festive celebration, according to the subdistrict.

“I am quite impressed by the dragon dance as well as the spun sugar and other traditional events,” said Ryan Grady, a senior student from the United States who studies at the school. Grady said though he has been in the city for nine years, it was rare for him to witness and take part in such traditional celebrations.

“I’m willing to learn these traditional skills and help to promote them,” the 17-year-oldsaid.

Jiang Xiaowei / SHINE

Foreign students learn to paint on traditional lanternsin a celebration at Changning International School.

Jiang Xiaowei / SHINE

Foreign students learn to make sugar figures in a celebration at Changning International School.

“I think the mask painting is very cool,” said Sofia Rizzoli, a ninth grade freshman. A craftsman painted the Peking Opera facial masks and taught students how to make their own. Rizzoli, from Italy, said she has learnt Mandarin and Chinese cultures that she feels are interesting.

Jiang Xiaowei / SHINE

A foreign student guesses lantern riddles in a celebration at Changning International School.