The Annals of the Emerald Isle by Bao Huiyi features the author's observations about Irish culture and people. [Photo provided to China Daily]

After all, when else could a Chinese student see such a scene but St. Patrick's Day? And where else but Dublin?

Bao tried to learn more about the tradition. "I used it as an opportunity to understand Irish society."

Besides describing Irish culture in her book, such as the origin of St. Patrick's Day, Bao also pens her observations on the country and its people.

For example, she describes the Irish as "lukewarm"－"they react slowly and are usually at ease".

In her first autumn in Dublin, a rainstorm swept away an old bridge, which resulted in traffic jams and packed buses every day. She asked an old lady when the bridge would be fixed.

"They haven't started yet," the lady answered. "The news said three weeks, but in reality, I think at least a couple of months."