French influencer Jeremy Grinan stood before the 108-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Tulou in East China's Fu gian province, embarking not on a mere visit, but an apprenticeship with Chen Jingying, a Tulou homestay proprietor.

Immersed in the UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its fortress-like structures capable of accommodating numerous families, Jeremy learned a lot about the unique lifestyle of Tulou from Chen.

Click the video to uncover his journey.

Zhangzhou city in East China's Fu gian province boasts an inclusive maritime culture and a deeply rooted Hakka culture. The beauty of its mountains and seas intertwines with its millennia-old civilization.

Members of the 2024 A Date with China international media tour visited Zhangzhou from May 19 to 21, exploring its ecological and cultural beauty.

The timeless charm of a 1,300-year-old ancient town

The Zhangzhou Ancient City, with a history spanning more than 1,300 years, is an important birthplace of the Hakka culture - rooted in migrants in southern China who originated from lands adjacent to the Yellow River. It's also a vital stop on the Maritime Silk Road.

The commercial prosperity of the Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties merged here, leaving a legacy of historical affluence.

A visit to the historic city would not be complete without experiencing its renowned glove puppet shows, which have a history of more than 1,000 years. Members of the 2024 A Date with China tour watched the puppetry performance,Daming Prefecture,on May 19, which featured traditional stunts such as acrobatics, lion dancing and martial arts.

After the show, French freelance photographer Jeremy Walter Grinan said: "The story is easy to understand. After a minute or two, you'll find yourself laughing unconsciously. There are no (digital) special effects and no modern technology, yet it's still very entertaining. Perhaps it's been so enjoyable for over a thousand years."

Moreover, Zhangzhou Ancient City hosts a wide array of intangible cultural heritage, including puppet head carving, woodblock New Year prints and paper-cutting. The old town also contains a wealth of historical and cultural landmarks. Among them are three nationally protected sites: the Grand Hall of Confucius Temple, the Stone Archway of the Ming Dynasty and the Zhangzhou Lin Family Ancestral Hall.

Tulou,ancient wisdom preserved in earthen architecture

The Fu giantulou,or earthen buildings, are variously-sized circular and rectangular buildings mostly set among rice, tea and tobacco fields, and some can house up to 800 people.

Several stories high, the multifamily communal living structures were first designed for defense purposes. In 2008, the buildings became well-known after 46 of them, constructed between the 15th and 20th centuries, were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List as a unique residential architecture of Fu gian province.

As the saying goes: "People who haven't seen the Tianluokengtuloucluster haven't seen the realtulou."Lying halfway up the mountains of Nanjing county, the Tianluokeng cluster is the most iconic of the Fu giantulou.It's among the UNESCO-listed ones, alongside the Hekengtuloucluster, Huaiyuanlou and Heguilou - the largest rectangular one, with five stories built on the soft swamp.

Nanjing county is home to more than 15,000tulou,making it a must-visit for travelers in Fu gian. Statistics show that Nanjing'stulouscenic area received more than 3.7 million visitors in 2023, generating tourism revenue of 2.6 billion yuan ($358 million).

In addition to sightseeing, visitors can also experience intangible cultural heritage performances in Nanjing such as puppet shows insidetulou,offering deeper insights into the local culture.

Reflecting on his visit to Nanjing, Jeremy Grinan said: "Tulouwas super nice. The people I met there were super welcoming. "

"During our visit, it was raining, adding to the sense of calm and serenity. You could see the clouds hanging between the mountains and enjoy local tea while listening to the rain falling on the wooden walls," Grinan added. "It felt like stepping into an old kung fu movie."

The Nanjing county government has considered heritage preservation and tourism development equally important. Many structures of the earthen buildings, due to their age, face issues such as wall erosion and surface damage. Official data shows that Nanjing has invested 8 million yuan in recent years in the restoration oftuloubuildings, including repairing roof leaks and cleaning drainage systems.

Dongshan, a treasure trove of sea culture

Located in Zhangzhou city, Dongshan is the sixth largest island county in China. Its azure skies, blue water, majestic bays, white sands, lush forests and scattered islands form a picturesque landscape.

Famous tourist destinations in Dongshan include the iconic Wind-moving Stone, the Nanmen Bay and the Guandi Temple which worships Guan Yu, an ancient general from the late Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) known for his courage and faith. The worship of Guan Yu is still prevalent throughout China today.

Recalling her visit to Dongshan, Tunisian journalist Derouiche Asma said: "I like it so much. It reminds me of my hometown, with blue beaches, bird songs and vast blue skies. It took me back to the times with my family on vacation."

"The island is shaped like a butterfly," she added.

Derouiche Asma from Tunisia had a chance to learn from a local master of tradtional puppet show during her international media tour in East China's Fu gian province.

Fu gian puppetry, which dates back more than 1,500 years, is listed among China's national intangible cultural heritage. Asma was amazed by the experience, saying the puppet can vividly sends message without saying a word.

Click the video to watch how she learned from the local master.

For French photographer Jeremy Walter Grinan, the trip to Zhangzhou city in East China's Fu gian province offered a serene escape from urban life.

During his recent visit to Zhangzhou as part of the 2024 A Date with China international media tour, Grinan captured the city's tranquil beauty through his lens.

Zhangzhou, a city nestled between mountains and seas, is a vital stop on the Maritime Silk Road and an important birthplace of the Hakka culture – rooted in migrants who originated from lands adjacent to the Yellow River. The city is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site oftulou,the unique earthen buildings.

"Tulouwas super nice. The people I met there were super welcoming while we were filming, "said Grinan.

"During our visit, it was raining, adding to the sense of calm and serenity. You could see the clouds hanging between the mountains and enjoy local tea while listening to the rain falling on the wooden walls," Grinan added. "It felt like stepping into an old kung fu movie."

Automation, artificial intelligence and 5G technology have been widely used in sportswear making in Jin gian g in East China's Quanzhou city, Fu gian province, to increase production capacity and market competitiveness.

Kelme Sports Products Co, Ltd (China), an industry pioneer, has accelerated its technological renovation in recent years. According to Ke Yongxiang, president of Kelme (China), through digital transformation, the company's operating costs have dropped by 15 percent and operational efficiency has improved by nearly 20 percent.

Via technologies including cloud big data, AI and 5G, Kelme has digitized the process of each piece of clothing from design and production to final sales and after-sales.

Ke also noted that AI graphic recognition technology has been commonly applied to improve the accuracy of quality inspections.

During a visit to Kelme's exhibition hall in Jin gian g on May 16, as part of the 2024 A Date with China international media tour, Tunisian journalist Derouiche Asma, said: "I think these products are of good quality, made by quality machines, and of course, by quality people who ensure the products' excellence. With reasonable prices as well, Arabic people will be happy to buy these quality products."

International journalists and social media influencers explored digitization and intelligent manufacturing in Jin gian g, East China's Fu gian province, from May 16 to 17, as part of the 2024 A Date with China international media tour.

Jin gian g in Quanzhou city is a manufacturing hub for shoe making, renowned as China's "capital of shoes". Statistics show that despite significant domestic and international market challenges, Jin gian g's footwear and clothing industry thrived in 2022, with its output value exceeding 300 billion yuan ($41.4 billion) for the first time.

This thriving industrial landscape hosts famous sports brands like Anta Sports Products Ltd and Kelme (China). According to data unveiled by Anta Sports, its annual revenue rose to 62.36 billion yuan in 2023, surpassing both Nike China and Adidas China, holding the top position in China's sportswear and shoes market.

The adoption of digital technology and the construction of smart factories are prevalent among Jin gian g's companies. A visit to Anta's smart factory revealed a highly automated and intelligent shoe production process.

During the visit, Russian vlogger Viacheslav Shchekin said: "Seeing the design and production process of these products, I am even more impressed by the technological innovation of Chinese companies."

French freelance photographer Jeremy Walter Grinan noted: "If you are not familiar with this industry, you might think it's quite traditional and labor-intensive. Now, a large number of machines assist in production, greatly reducing the workload of workers."

At Anta's integrated industrial park, advanced automated logistics systems, including multilayer shuttles and robots, operate seamlessly. Goods are automatically received, stored and dispatched through conveyor systems.

"The logistics are very impressive. You can see many machines dispatching goods every second. It's very advanced and futuristic," said Grinan, highlighting the efficiency and innovation driving Jin gian g's footwear industry.

Derouiche Asma from Tunisia is currently on an international media tour in East China's Fu gian province. Teaming up with a local host, she explores Yunshuiyao Ancient Town in Nanjing county to uncover the world heritage of Tulou and traditional Hakka culture.

Yunshuiyao, once known as Changjiao, received its current name inspired by the poignant Chinese filmThe Knot.During her visit, Asma had the unique opportunity to participate in a traditional Hakka wedding performance. Click the video to see how she tied a knot with this historic town.

Tobias Orlando Robert Symonds, a content creator from Britain and who is on an international media tour of A Date with China 2024, tells his story about what he finds out from visiting a stone workshop in Quanzhou, Fu gian province.

Members of theinternational media tour A Date with Chinavisitedthe Maritime Silk RoadHorologeMuseum in Zhangzhou, East China's Fu gian province,on Sunday and got a closer look at the history and current development of the city's clock and watch manufacturing industry.

Zhanghzou'shistory ofthe clock and watch industrystretches back to400 years ago,with Western clocks flowing into the city throughtheMaritime Silk Road and locals beginning imitation. Now,Zhangzhou has ushered in its own era of clock and watch manufacturing,with the industry becomingone of themost importantsectorsof Fu gian province.

Asthe production and sales base for electronic quartz clocks in China, Zhangzhou is alsothe world's largestproducer ofquartz clocksandhasestablished a completeindustrialchain fromcomponent production to assembly. With over 200 related enterprises, the industry generates about7 billion yuan ($968 million) in output value. Zhangzhou's global market share of quartz clock components exceeds 70percent, with theproductsexported to nearly 200 countries and regions worldwide.

Hengli Electronicisone of therepresentative private enterprisesof Zhangzhou's clock and watch manufacturing industry. According to CEO Shao Yueming, 90 percent of its products are sold overseas.

Shao said thatdue tothe Belt and Road Initiative, the company has beenableto tap into a broader world."The orders fromBRIcountriesand emerging overseas markets have grown rapidlyand the intentionfor cooperation isbecoming stronger than ever before,"Shao said. The emerging marketsunder the BRI willbe the fastest developing regionandthe ASEAN countrieswill be the company'smostimportant export area,Shaonoted.

With the development ofsmart wearable devices,Zhangzhou's clock and watch enterprisesare actively transforming and upgrading, establishing smart industrial parks, and venturing into the field."In the future, Zhangzhou's clock and watch production will also move toward the direction of smart watches,"Shao said.

Mahnoor Makhdoom, a member of A Date with China media tour and a reporter from Pakistan, showed interestinthe cooperation between China and the emerging markets."The clocksand watchesare exported to emerging markets,which will bring not only economic connection but also cooperation on technology,"she said.

Italian vlogger Yasmin Von Roon, who is on the international media tour of A Date with China 2024 said the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is becoming more and more popular in Europe she herself has the experience of taking it. She said she would like to share how popular the TCM is with more of her intentional friends.

International journalists and social media influencers immersed themselves in the unique local culture of Zhangzhou Ancient City in Zhangzhou, East China's Fu gian province on Sunday during the 2024 A Date with China international media tour.

The Zhangzhou Ancient City, boasting a history of more than 1,300 years, is an important birthplace of the Hakka culture - rooted in migrants in southern China who originated from lands adjacent to the Yellow River. It's also a vital stop on the Maritime Silk Road.

The commercial prosperity from the Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties intertwined here, leaving a legacy of historical affluence.

The old town features a wealth of historical and cultural sites, including three nationally protected ones: the Grand Hall of Confucius Temple, the Stone Archway of the Ming Dynasty and the Zhangzhou Lin Family Ancestral Hall.

Zhangzhou Ancient City also holds a rich array of intangible cultural heritage resources, including national-level heritages such as glove puppet shows, puppet head carving and woodblock New Year prints, all of which contribute to its vibrant cultural tapestry.

Rafael Antonio Saavedra Molina, a content creator from Venezuela and member of A Date with China 2024 international media tour, said he has learned a lot from his experience in China and loves to share that with the world.

Members of international media tour A Date with China visited local sauna suit brand Hotsuit in Shishi of Quanzhou, East China's Fu gian province, on Friday, experiencing the vibrant development of China's textile and garment industry.

In recent years, the domestic sportswear brand has emerged on the international stage, not only competing head-to-head with international brands in some niche markets but also leading the industry's development.

As one of the rising domestic brands, Hotsuit, founded in 2015 in Shishi, pioneers a new category with its sauna suits and exports to 78 countries and regions worldwide, becoming a leader in the sauna suit market.

Shi Junqi, the founder of Hotsuit, remarked that Quanzhou is not only the starting point of Maritime Silk Road but also a renowned hub of the garment industry. "The global connection and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has given local garment brands unprecedented opportunities to go abroad," Shi said. The overseas sales of Hotsuit account for approximately 35 percent of its total sales and are expected to increase to 50 percent by the end of this year, according to Shi.

As one of the representatives of Quanzhou's textile and garment industry, the company has also committed to boosting intelligent manufacturing to expand the advantages of its products with innovation.

Shi observed that, with the continuous development of the Chinese textile industry, the domestic brands will play a more leading role globally and provide more possibilities for the upgrading of China's manufacturing industry

Yasmin von Roon, an Internet influencer from Italy, tried Hotsuit's sauna suit and was amazed by the high technology injected into the sportswear. "I hope the cooperation on technology and innovation between Chinese and Italian sportswear enterprises can be boosted, which will bring benefits to the people's daily life in both countries," she said.

China-based foreign media correspondents, foreign internet influencers and domestic journalists with A Date with China media tour indulged in a banquet themed on Maritime Silk Road from the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) Dynasties on Thursday in Shishi of Quanzhou, East China's Fu gian province, acquiring a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of China's Maritime Silk Road culture.

Quanzhou was a crucial starting point and trade hub of ancient Maritime Silk Road that connected coastal Chinese cities with destinations around the world. During the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, Quanzhou was the earliest port and city to open to the outside world, attracting merchants from all over the world.

As part of Quanzhou, Shishi inherits the Maritime Silk Road culture and creates a city bustling with diverse and integrated cultures. The local food vividly reflects this rich heritage and the banquet themed on Maritime Silk Road showcases the unique culinary culture of the world maritime trade center during the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) Dynasties.

A Date with China 2024 international media tour kicked off in Shishi of Quanzhou, East China's Fu gian province, on Thursday with a launch ceremony held in the county-level city which is renowned for its booming textile and garment industry.

This year's A Date with China media tour, themed "Develop New Quality Productive Forces, Sharing Chinese Opportunities", will take domestic and international reporters, international internet influencers, and experts to visit Quanzhou and Zhangzhou of Fu gian province to learn more about the province's significance in the country's high-quality development, cross-border trade and international cultural exchanges.

According to Li Xin, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Multimedia and organizer of the tour, for three consecutive years, the media tour has taken international media members, web influencers and experts from nearly 50 countries as well as Chinese journalists to nearly 20 provinces and autonomous regions in the country. Based on their experiences from the tours, the international members of the tour publish stories and create content on social media to share the real China and tell their China stories to the whole world.

Fu gian, as the eastern starting point of ancient Maritime Silk Road, is now the core area of the Maritime Silk Road in the 21st century. The province has gathered a large number of well-known domestic and foreign enterprises, covering various fields such as new energy, intelligent manufacturing and digital economy.

Alexander Stephen Long, a staff member of China Daily website who is from the United Kingdom, said he was impressed by the thriving cooperation between China and the EU and is keen to witness more firsthand fruits of the exchanges between the two sides from the tour of Fu gian.

A Date with China media tour will visit the production workshops of enterprises, trade centers and cultural heritage sites to explore vibrant practices of boosting new quality productive forces and feel the opportunities that China's high-quality development brings to the world.