Clockwise from left: Student-athletes practice Chinese calligraphy at the interactive experience center of the Chengdu FISU World University Games Village. Members of the Moldovan delegation enjoy a photo opportunity using a Sichuan Opera installation as a prop. Participants of the Chengdu games experience a traditional Chinese medicine treatment. ZHANG WEI/CHINA DAILY/XINHUA

Diverse array of delectable distractions ensure games participants are never short of entertainment

With so much on offer in the athletes' village and across Chengdu, participants from around the world have been treated to a diverse blend of Chinese culture and Sichuan specialties during the FISU World University Games.

With competitions in full swing at the games, a wide range of cultural activities have complemented the action to entertain participants during their downtime, with events such as calligraphy, traditional Chinese medicine treatments and visits to the city's famous giant panda breeding center providing fun and immersive experiences.

At the midway point in the games, the interactive experience center at the athletes' village has proved to be the most popular destination for foreign visitors. The center's abundant cultural activities are designed to allow student-athletes and delegation officials to get to know Chengdu and China better while also having fun during competition breaks.

Lucie Kalhousova and her teammates on the Czech women's volleyball team have paid frequent visits to the culture bazaar at the center. Kalhousova has even picked up a new hobby in Chinese calligraphy after learning how to write her name in Mandarin characters with brushes.

"We had never tried it before, so it's lucky and fun for everyone to experience it," she said.