With the first morning light gracing the "Spring City," "Chinese Bridge" contestants from 33 nations embarked on an immersive Spring Festival journey, using Chinese as their boat and culture as their bridge. Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the "Chinese Bridge," this transnational encounter painted a warm tableau of civilizational dialogue in Kunming.

Reciting the poem of Spring in Daguan Tower

Laughter filled Daguan Park on the morning of January 19. The Daguan Tower, renowned for its "longest couplet in the world," welcomed a distinguished group of guests. Contestants tried their hand at calligraphy, writing the Chinese character "fu" (meaning blessing), and skillfully crafted paper-cuts. They immersed themselves in the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year, enveloped by the sweet aroma of sugar paintings and the elegance of lacquered fans. In the lantern riddle corner, they engaged in lively discussions in fluent Chinese, their intellectual exchanges adding warmth to the winter day.

Yang Jing(Michael Mubaiwa), a Zimbabwean youth, sighed, "After my Chinese improved, what I could see and hear became immensely richer." This postgraduate student, who has been in China for seven years and is currently pursuing Clinical Medicine at Kunming Medical University, has found that Chinese is the "key" to a deeper understanding of Chinese life. His simple yet warm New Year's wish is: "I'm looking forward to visiting a Chinese friend's home and enjoying an authentic reunion dinner."

Embracing the reunion of family in Damoyu Village

In the afternoon, Damoyu Village on the outskirts of Kunming came alive with the authentic aroma of local life. At the Long Street Banquet, contestants sat shoulder-to-shoulder with villagers, savoring genuine Yunnan rural cuisine. Amidst the clinking of bowls and chopsticks, flowed their shared yearning for "reunion."

American Youth Li Zigen (Jake Pinnick)

Li Zigen(Jake Pinnick), an American youth dressed in Taoist robes, is a successor of the Wudang Sanfeng Sect. Having lived in China for fifteen years, he says, "Coming here feels like returning home." Speaking of the Spring Festival, he beams with joy as he describes the lively tradition of his fellow apprentices "taking turns hosting gatherings." He adds, "This warmth of a large family gathering around is precisely why I am so attached to China."

As evening descended, a distinctive "Village Gala" kicked off to the sound of gongs and drums. Performances followed one after another: Russian songs, Indonesian Dai dance, and crosstalk by Malaysian and Ghanaian contestants. An American contestant performed a lion dance atop a long bench, while the intangible cultural heritage of "face-changing" performances wowed the audience. As bonfires lit up the night sky, young people from various nations joined hands with villagers to dance folk dances, where different cultural beats wonderfully harmonized.

Belgian Youth Dai Luke(Deckers Lucas) 

Belgian youth Dai Luke(Deckers Lucas) keenly observed, "Festivals blend with daily life, and this authenticity makes us feel incredibly comfortable." This "son-in-law of Guangxi" plans to "return to his hometown for Chinese New Year" this year. "This is a Chinese custom," he said, "and I am part of the family too."

Continuing the Chapter: Tapping into the Pulse of Spring City's Past and Present

On January 20, the exploration continued. At the Dounan Flower Market, dubbed "The Flower Capital of Asia," contestants personally arranged their "Chinese New Year Bouquets," experiencing the industry's philosophy of "Making the World More Beautiful."

In Guandu Ancient Town, they immersed themselves in the exquisite arts of Yunnan-style dough figurines, silver-inlaid black copper, and cloisonne. Through conversations with inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, they touched the living pulse of culture.

From Cuihu Lake to the Old Street area, contestants strolled amidst the city's shimmering lights and shadows, experiencing the unique rhythm of Kunming's "symphony of ancient and modern" as historic architecture intertwined with trendy cafes.

Chinese as the Bridge, Spring City as Home

As young people from various countries sang "Where is Spring?" in Chinese, their voices, though with diverse pronunciations, carried the same sincere emotions. Kunming, with its year-round comfortable 17℃ winters, blooming flowers everywhere, and inclusive daily life, embodies the poetic sentiment of "Flowers bloom everywhere in the Spring City."

From the cultural gathering at Daguan Tower to the rural warmth of Damoyu Village, and the fusion of ancient and modern in the ancient towns and old streets—this "Spring City Encounter" proves that language is not just a tool for communication, but a bridge connecting hearts. Kunming, with its openness, warmth, and diversity, is making every "bridge" encounter possible, planting a seed of "connection" in the hearts of young people worldwide.

当第一缕晨光洒向春城，来自33个国家的“汉语桥”选手，开启了一场以中文为舟、以文化为桥的春节沉浸之旅。恰逢“汉语桥”创立25周年，这场跨越国界的相遇，在昆明绘就了一幅文明对话的温暖画卷。

大观楼前，吟一首春的诗篇

1月19日上午，大观公园内笑语盈盈。以“天下第一长联”闻名的大观楼，迎来了一批特殊的客人。选手们在这里提笔写福、巧手剪纸，在糖画的甜香与漆扇的雅致中，沉浸式感受中国年的仪式感。猜灯谜专区里，他们用流利的中文交流探讨，智慧的碰撞为冬日增添融融暖意。

津巴布韦青年杨靖感慨：“中文熟练后，看到的、听到的，一下子丰富了。”这位来华七年、现为昆明医科大学临床医学专业研究生的青年发现，中文是深入中国生活的“钥匙”。他的春节愿望朴素而温暖：“期待去中国朋友家里，吃顿地道的年夜饭。”

大墨雨村中，赴一场家的团圆

午后，昆明近郊的大墨雨村升腾起最真实的烟火气。长街宴上，选手们与村民围坐，品尝着地道的云南乡村菜肴。碗筷之间，流淌的是对“团圆”的共同向往。

身着道袍的美国青年李资根是武当三丰派传人，在中国生活了十五年。“来到这里，像回家一样。”他说。谈及春节，他笑意盈盈地描述着师兄弟“轮流做东”的热闹，“这种大家庭围坐的温暖，正是我眷恋中国的理由。”

傍晚，一场别开生面的“村晚”在锣鼓声中拉开序幕。俄罗斯的歌声、印尼的傣族舞、马来西亚与加纳选手的相声轮番上演。美国选手踩着长板凳舞狮，非遗变脸表演惊艳全场。当篝火映亮夜空，各国青年与村民手拉手跳起民族舞，不同的文化节拍在此奇妙相融。

比利时青年戴庐可敏锐地捕捉到：“节庆与日常融在一起，这种真实让人舒服。”这位“广西女婿”今年计划“回老家过年”：“这是中国人的习俗，我也是家里一员。”

续写篇章：触摸春城的古今脉搏

1月20日，探索继续。在“亚洲花都”斗南花市，选手们亲手搭配“我的中国年花束”，感受“让世界更美”的产业哲学。

在官渡古镇，他们沉浸于滇派面塑、乌铜走银、掐丝珐琅的精妙，在与非遗传承人的对话中，触摸活着的文化生命。

从翠湖到老街片区，选手们在水光城影间漫步，在历史建筑与网红咖啡馆的交织中，感受着昆明“古今交响”的独特韵律。

中文为桥，春城为家

当各国青年用中文合唱《春天在哪里》，发音各异的歌声里，是同样真挚的情感。昆明用恒温17℃的冬日、随处绽放的鲜花和包容的日常，诠释着“春城无处不飞花”的意境。

从大观楼的文化雅集，到墨雨村的乡土温情，再到古镇老街的古今交融——这场“春城相遇”证明，语言不仅是交流工具，更是心灵相通的桥梁。昆明，正以它的开放、温暖与多元，让每一次“桥”见都成为可能，在世界青年心中种下了一颗名为“相通”的种子。