Shanghai marks 40th sister-city anniversary with Hamburg

An event featuring Chinese intangible cultural heritage kicked off on Wednesday in Hamburg, Germany, where traditional Chinese tea ceremonies captivated large crowds of visitors.

Hosted by Yuyuan Inc, the event celebrated the 40th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Shanghai and Hamburg.

Immersive tea ceremonies were presented by time-honored brand Huxinting Teahouse in Yuyuan, featuring selected osmanthus black tea made from high-mountain black tea, infused with osmanthus blossoms and served in magnolia-shaped teaware.

The complete tea ceremony unfolded gradually and elegantly for German visitors, from burning incense to calm the mind, warming the cups and cleaning the utensils, to appreciating the tea's appearance and serving it. Visitors gathered around the tea table, interacted closely with the tea master, and enjoyed the inviting aroma and flavor of the tea. Eventually, they deepened their understanding of Chinese tea culture following each step.

"Tea is not merely a drink, but also an important way for Chinese people to entertain guests, make friends, and express emotions," said Li Xian, manager of the Huxinting Teahouse, who hoped this visit could help foreign visitors better learn about the tea art, as well as the Chinese way of life and cultural traditions.

On the same day, Yuyuan also launched the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Overseas Experience Center at Yu Garden Hamburg. Modeled after Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden, the Yu Garden in Hamburg opened to the public in 2008 and serves as a symbol of the friendship between the two cities.

With a consistent focus on intangible cultural heritage, the center is dedicated to building an international cultural space that integrates exhibition, hands-on experiences, inheritance and exchanges.

It aims to help more people in Germany and across Europe understand Chinese culture within their everyday cultural contexts, promoting mutual exchange and learning between Chinese and Western civilizations.