An international youth exchange event promoting Taizhou's application for UNESCO City of Gastronomy status is launched at Zhejiang Gongshang University. [Photo/WeChat account: tzwhly]
An international youth exchange event promoting Taizhou's application for UNESCO City of Gastronomy status was launched on May 22 at Zhejiang Gongshang University in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. It brought together more than 500 students and young participants from over 60 countries to explore Taizhou's cuisine and cultural identity.
The event marked the start of a year-long campaign and introduced a university partnership program focused on promoting Hehe culture, a regional philosophy rooted in harmony and integration, through 16 universities in the province.
An inbound tourism promotion segment was also launched, introducing curated travel routes and offering incentives for international visitors. From May 19 to Oct 31, eligible international students and tourists can register on the travel platform "Zhejiang Travel" to receive a 150-yuan ($22) voucher package covering various attractions, hotels, and dining services at designated venues across the city.
A food market held alongside the event showcased dozens of local specialties, including traditional pastries, noodles, juices, and snacks. The tasting experience attracted strong interest from international students, many of whom tried regional dishes such as steamed dumplings, rice cakes, and ginger-based drinks for the first time.
The event combined food culture, youth engagement, and tourism promotion to strengthen Taizhou's international visibility ahead of its gastronomy application. A follow-up cultural exploration trip for young cultural envoys is scheduled to take place in Taizhou in June.
浙公网安备33010502011796号
