Students in the program show off their dumplings at the Zhejiang Tourism College. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Creative Chinese dishes prepared by students from the United States —like spicy mapo tofu and sweet-sour pineapple pork — were unveiled on July 19 at the Zhejiang Tourism College in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province.

The cooking display marked the conclusion of the 2025 Taste of Jiangnan Chinese Culinary Camp, part of the YES cultural exchange program.

Over two weeks, 15 students from states — including California and Pennsylvania — learned traditional Chinese cooking, cultural etiquette, calligraphy and tea ceremony training.

Beyond the kitchen, participants explored West Lake, visited museums, and toured smart kitchen enterprises. "It's more than cooking — it's a window into Chinese culture," said US team leader Maggie.

The program deepened US-China youth exchanges, in support of the "50,000 American students to China" initiative.

Students pose for a group photo with their attempts at Chinese calligraphy. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]