3/6/2026
More than 50 staff, students and local residents gathered at the Nottingham Confucius Institute on 29 May for a lively and immersive Mandarin Corner event, Journey to Shanxi: Exploring Huamo. The evening celebrated the rich cultural heritage of China’s Shanxi province through language, architecture, food and folk art.
Hosted by Miss Xiuzhu Chen, the session opened with an introduction to Shanxi’s ancient architecture through scenes from the popular video game Black Myth: Wukong. Participants explored iconic landmarks and learned about the beauty of traditional Chinese dougong wooden structures.
Guests also enjoyed interactive activities exploring Shanxi dialect expressions and took part in a tasting comparing Shanxi’s famous aged vinegar with British malt vinegar. Following a short introduction to huamo — decorative flower-shaped steamed buns traditionally made for festivals — participants sampled freshly prepared momo buns.
The highlight of the evening was a hands-on huamo workshop, where attendees used colourful plasticine to craft their own folk-art-inspired creations, from lotus flowers to lion-dance figures. Event highlights can be viewed .
Blending language learning with culture, creativity and food, the event offered participants a unique opportunity to experience the traditions of Shanxi in an engaging and memorable way. Through themed Mandarin Corner events, the Nottingham Confucius Institute continues to promote cross-cultural understanding and bring regional Chinese culture to life for local communities.
Posted on Tuesday 9th June 2026