The venue of the International Culture Festival for College Students is bustling with people. [Photo/WeChat account: nanshafabu]

Guangzhou's Nansha district buzzed with youthful energy on April 25 as the 2026 "Vitality in Nansha, Youth Shining Globally" International Culture Festival for College Students kicked off in Dongchongli.

The event drew nearly 200 Chinese and international students from 18 countries and regions, alongside thousands of local secondary school students and residents. Co-hosted by the Nansha Communist Youth League Committee and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, the festival showcased Nansha's growing role as a vibrant hub for cross-cultural exchange in the Greater Bay Area.

A major highlight was the immersive exploration of Nansha's intangible cultural heritage. International students experienced the district's unique traditions firsthand, including a silkworm silk dyeing technique using local mud known as "gambiered gauze", traditional rice flour kneading and scenic waterway boat rides. "This is the first time I've learned that silk can be dyed with mud. Nansha's culture is so captivating," said a Russian student.

The festival also transformed into a global food bazaar, where students from Vietnam, Thailand, Angola and other countries offered their national cuisines to enthusiastic crowds. A university admissions counseling booth was set up for the first time in Nansha, providing face-to-face guidance to local high school students and their parents.

Serving as a launch event for Nansha's 2026 University Student Month, the festival reflects the district's commitment to building a youthful, internationally-minded community that connects China with the world, organizers said. More cultural and sports events are slated for the coming weeks.