Wang Anyi, chair of the association and one of China's most celebrated women novelists, believes the city's charms may find expression in new literary outpourings from its temporary guests. One of her books, The Song of Everlasting Sorrow, was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize in 2011.

"We hope to hear their opinions about the city and see the influence of Shanghai reflected in their writing," the Nanjing native says.

"I don't think I can give an objective account of the city anymore because I've lived here so long."

The foreign writers were invited from countries as far flung as India, Argentina, Mexico and Belgium.

Three share a common first language in Spanish, one is Portuguese and another has lived as an expat in Spain for more than two decades - adding a Latin flair to the writer's circle.

The one African invitee, Nigerian playwright and poet Zainabu Jallo, was unable to attend due to ill health. Cuban-American poet and journalist Victor Rodriguez Nunez will arrive in a few weeks.