Artists Shan Wen (L)?and Shi Xiaming(L) perform?selected scenes from?the renowned Kunqu Opera?The Peony Pavilion at the welcome ceremony in Nanjing Museum on Nov 13. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Following their arrival at Lukou International Airport in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, a group of foreign reporters was treated to a spectacular traditional Chinese welcome ceremony at a vintage teahouse inside Nanjing Museum, on Nov 13.

The group of 20 was there to join the “Hi Jiangsu” tour of the province. Besides Nanjing, the tour will take in Nanjing, Suqian, Yixing, and Zhangjiagang and treat attendees to some of the best cultural experiences that China has to offer.

Joining the reporters were eight expats living in China; they are there to attend the “Go Jiangsu” part of the event, where they will taste local foods and learn about guqin culture in Yangzhou, one of the country’s most famous historical cities.

All the attendees appeared to enjoy the welcome ceremony, which featured the traditional wooden tables of tea houses, Chinese opera, black tea and?guzheng (Chinese zither)?performances –– giving the group a taste of life in ancient China.

Jiangsu is a province where the old world meets the new; where traditions meet cutting-edge technologies and history meets the future.

Participants of the “Hi Jiangsu” tour take a group photo at the Sino-German Intelligent Manufacturing Research Institute in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province on Nov 13.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

You don’t have to go too far to see examples of this. Nanjing’s Jiangbei New Area is full of thriving tech firms, yet the city is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum –– two areas which demonstrate the cultural and economic wealth of one of the four great capitals of ancient China.

"We want to show Jiangsu to the world and build links with different countries and cities. And I am eager to know your views on Jiangsu’s progress, especially its culture and innovations", said Yang Liqun, deputy director of the Publicity Department of?Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee.

"I am really excited to learn more about the local culture and discover the real Jiangsu", enthused one Ukrainian journalist on the tour.

During the welcome ceremony at Nanjing Museum, Wang Yanwen, head of the Publicity Department of Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee, and Zhou Shuchun, editor-in-chief of China Daily, presented souvenirs to the overseas media representatives.

The reporters will experience the unique charm of Jiangsu province during the five-day event.

Wang Yanwen, head of the Publicity Department of Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee, and Zhou Shuchun, editor-in-chief of China Daily, present souvenirs to the overseas media representatives.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]