Heritage is no longer just something to read about – it has become something to feel, to try and to struggle with.
Over the weekend, in Shanghai's Huacao International Community, Minhang District, about 30 international guests – brought together by City News Service; China International Intellectech Group Co (CIIC), a human resources company; and the community – discovered that understanding Chinese culture can begin with a single delicate sheet of foil – and a lot of patience.
Glimmers of gold danced in the air. Brushes tapped, laughter echoed and wide eyes followed every demonstration with delight, as Chinese foil art transformed into a shimmering bridge between cultures.
A group photo of the participants
A cultural journey begins
The afternoon began with a curated lecture titled "The Beauty of Chinese Culture." Lu Li, a Chinese language teacher and cultural educator from CIIC Shanghai, shared her passion for bridging cultures.
With over two decades of experience teaching Chinese to foreigners, she guided participants through the aesthetics of Chinese characters and traditional painting. As she explained, this wasn't just about language or art – it was about revealing the soul of a civilization.
"I wanted to help our foreign guests not only learn Chinese but truly feel the essence of Chinese beauty," she shared, her voice warm with conviction. "This is not just a class – it's an invitation into China's living history."
Moli, from Iran, and her husband listen carefully as the instructor explains the steps of making "burnt foil."
Yugo Yokota (second left) and his friend, both from Japan, stand up to get a clearer view of the tools the teacher was demonstrating.
From listener to creator
After the lecture, participants stepped into the world of "烧箔 (burnt foil)" – an ancient art form using ultra-thin sheets of gold, silver, copper or aluminum foil, carefully heat-treated and applied to create radiant, textured masterpieces.
The process is far from simple. Though the foil appears delicate and luminous, handling it requires immense patience and precision – as many soon discovered.
Tonatiuh Garcia, a guest from Mexico, described the experience as "very challenging but deeply rewarding." "I wanted to know more about Chinese culture, art, history, and I'm doing this handicraft in Shanghai. And it's very exciting to share some activities while we learn more about Chinese culture," he said, proudly holding up his finished piece glinting with gold.
"I think that it is very, very challenging and difficult to get some art. So that's why we admire many of the Chinese culture and art."
Valentina from Russia echoed that sentiment. "I thought it will be easy to make this, but it was really hard. Chinese painting needs lots of patience and it needs lots of concentration," she told CNS.
"I was too fast and I ruined my picture. Then I was a bit patient and did it slowly so I could make this one," she added, showing her "burnt foil" fan.
A participant applies glue to the paper.
Foreign guests select their preferred patterns.
Valentina shows the "burnt foil" fan she made.
More than just art
The workshop was led by an expert in foil painting, Yuan, who patiently demonstrated the complex process: from applying adhesive to laying foil, from handling oxidation to preserving color shifts. Each brushstroke was a meditation, every foil layer a glimpse into a cultural legacy.
For Yugo Yokota, who is from Tokyo, it wasn't just a craft – it was a moment of connection. He said Chinese art focuses on essence, not just appearance, and saw a parallel with Japanese ink painting. "This deepened my appreciation of both cultures," he noted thoughtfully.
Moli from Iran described the workshop as "a really good experience." "I would recommend it to everyone who are eager to learn more about Chinese culture," she added.
Foreign guests work on their own "burnt foil" artworks.
Two international guests enjoy creating their pieces.
Celebrating culture, creating bonds
As the workshop ended, laughter and soft chatter filled the air. Participants gathered to showcase their unique foil paintings – each one glittering with effort, mistakes, joy and discovery.
CNS staff presented small scented sachets as gifts, symbols of gratitude and connection.
This wasn't just a cultural event. It was a moment of mutual admiration, where art became the bridge and tradition the guide. Through shimmering foil and shared stories, foreigners didn't just see China – they touched it, shaped it and took a piece of it home.
In the hands of foreigners, a piece of China lived anew.
Moli focuses intently on her "burnt foil" artwork.
A young boy carefully creates his piece.