A cultural exchange event was held on Feb 2 in the run-up to the Lantern Festival at an Indian restaurant in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

This year's Lantern Festival falls on Feb 5 and the folks at the restaurant had blast.

Nearly 30 international friends participated in the activity, hailing from more than 20 countries – including Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Poland, Belgium, the United States, Mexico, Italy, New Zealand, Canada and France.

Chinese and international friends get together for the cultural exchange in Xi'an. [Photo by Shang Hongtao for en.xa.gov.cn]

During the activity, the international friends made dumplings, tasted glutinous rice balls, learned paper-cutting and sang and danced – deeply experiencing what the Lantern Festival is all about with local Chinese people.

Participants also included Ren Jing – a young Shaanxi singer known as the "lark" of the Silk Road – and Hui Yanlin, a well-known intangible cultural heritage inheritor of Xi'an paper cutting.

Two international friends learn how to make dumplings during the activity in Xi'an. [Photo by Shang Hongtao for en.xa.gov.cn]

Wearing gorgeous hanfu – a traditional Chinese style of clothing – Ren sang songs with a sweet and clear voice, while Hui taught international friends the finer points of paper cutting.

Some expats shared their experience of living, studying and working in Xi'an. A doctoral student at Northwestern University from Egypt said she particularly likes the warm atmosphere during the Chinese New Year, which reflects China's rich culture.

A lady from Georgia said Xi'an is her second hometown. "I have brought my mother and younger brother to live in Xi'an and I have my career here," she said. "I love Xi'an. This is a warm city".

Hui Yanlin, a top cultural heritage inheritor, teaches expat kids paper cutting. [Photo by Shang Hongtao for en.xa.gov.cn]