Visitors embark on culinary journey

With aprons tied and chef hats on, a group of foreign visitors each stand over woks sizzling over gas burners, spatulas in hand, eagerly trying their hand at mastering the art of traditional Chinese stir-fry.

Yangshuo county in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, has long been a popular destination for international tourists due to its karst peaks and vibrant ethnic culture.

In recent years, half-day cooking workshops conducted in English by Chinese chefs are drawing more global visitors and giving them a lively way to engage with local life.

From selecting fresh seasonal ingredients at a bustling market to cooking iconic Yangshuo dishes, participants get to taste, create and truly connect with authentic Chinese food culture.

Casper Supeene, 20, a college student from Belgium who is traveling in China, was amazed to see fresh fish caught from the Lijiang River and a variety of vegetables, especially lotus root, which he had never seen before.

Supeene learned to prepare four dishes from scratch: Yangshuo beer fish, smashed cucumber, kung pao chicken and dumplings. He went through the whole cooking process, from washing and chopping ingredients to seasoning and stir-frying, with the teacher guiding him step by step.

Supeene said the most difficult part was folding and sealing the dumplings. "The filling sometimes came out, and it was hard to form the pleats neatly. But they are very delicious," he said.

Gregorio Villen Santiago, 36, a doctor from Spain, said, "Back home, we don't have this kind of dumplings in our cuisine." He decided to join the workshop on the recommendation of a friend who took the course last year.

He admitted that it was a bit challenging to learn how to chop ingredients and blend seasonings, but the teacher was patient and demonstrated each step carefully.

Niels Jongsma, 27, a bank worker from the Netherlands, said, "I've never cooked fish before, and I struggled with the heat — I didn't know when it was fully done, but I finally made it."

He added that he plans to share his experience and the recipes on social media and cook the dishes for family and friends after returning home.

As international tourists crave more in-depth cultural experiences, Yangshuo has offered plenty of hands-on cooking workshops. They can be booked through platforms including online travel agency Trip.com, and some local homestays also offer courses.

Liang Qiongfeng, from Cloud 9 Cooking School in Yangshuo, started teaching such courses when she opened a restaurant in 2004. She said that beyond her cooking classes, overseas visitors are fascinated by local tea traditions and genuinely experiencing daily life in Yangshuo.

The course costs 280 yuan ($41.30) per person. She said most guests are from Europe and the United States, and the number has been growing steadily since last year. Monthly enrollment varies, with about 400 people joining the classes in June.

Shi Ruipeng in Nanning contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at xulin@chinadaily.com.cn