68 foreigners from countries along the Belt and Road experienced a wedding ceremony featuring She characteristics in Jingning. [Photo/Red Peony Academy of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy]

In celebration of China's upcoming 68th birthday, 68 foreigners from countries along the Belt and Road experienced a wedding ceremony featuring She characteristics in Jingning of Lishui, Zhejiang province from Sept 22 to 24.

Located in the south of Zhejiang, Jingning is the only autonomous county of the She ethnic group, which is endowed with beautiful natural scenery and unique ethnic customs.

Themed "Love you for the rest of my life", the event brought foreigners from different countries and regions such as Thailand, India, Russia, Ukraine, Yemen and Austria together to attend a cultural banquet.    

Dressed in traditional Chinese wedding outfits, 34 "brides" were carried by sedan chair to the wedding site according to the local tradition. However, the "groom", before getting married with his wife, has to fight his way through several obstacles to pledge his love.

Two of the "grooms" volunteered to have a go. While shouldering two baskets of dowry and being held back by a batten, they had to have three drinks from the bowl placed in front of them.

Once they had won their bride, a luncheon with She characteristics was prepared for the "newlyweds". Noodles, red envelopes and candles, which signify food, wealth and enduring love, were presented as gifts to the couples by local residents.

Joined by foreign students from Jiang Hongsheng, the head of Red Peony Academy of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy and the organizer of the event, the couples also tried their hands at painting the red peony – the flower of love in China.

According to Gimel Morley, an overseas student from Ningbo University, she only started learning Chinese painting three weeks ago, but was already deeply attracted by it. At the invitation of Jiang, she signed up for the event without hesitation.

"Like many big cities in the world, Ningbo bristles with high-rise buildings. I am seeking for a different landscape and real insight into the Chinese culture in this mountainous city," Gimel said.

As night fell, a bonfire party provided a perfect climax to the event. Large-scale shows including Guzheng performance, Tanzanian and She dances and songs sung by local residents and the newlyweds were staged beside the burning embers.

Gabriela Eguino, a yoga teacher in Ningbo, offered the audience a Bolivian dance with her husband. "China is a country of future," she said, extending her hopes that the culture of her hometown could stand side by side with those in this diverse and growing country.