Winners receive their certificates at Qiandao City Station in New Town, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, on June 2. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

The "My Zhoushan Story" English writing competition hosted by the official website of Zhoushan (zhoushan.cn) in late April recently came to a close. Twenty articles stood out among more than 80 entries and won awards. 

The award winners visited an urban service center – Qiandao City Station – in the city's New Town area on June 2 to experience some of the local folk customs for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, including making rice dumplings and sachets.

Winners learn to make rice dumplings at Qiandao City Station on June 2. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"The sachet smells good but is really hard to make," said Pakistani Humayun Khan, adding that this is his first time making a sachet for the Dragon Boat Festival, which helps him learn a lot about traditional Chinese culture.

A winner learns to make a sachet at Qiandao City Station on June 2. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

Guyanan native Maria A Fraser was also interested in making the sachet. She said she has developed an interest in Zhoushan and Chinese culture since she came to the city two years ago to study at Zhejiang University's Zhoushan Campus.

The competition was open to foreigners, university students and English enthusiasts in Zhoushan who wanted to share personal stories about studying, working, living, and traveling in the city. 

Qiandao City Station not only provides entertainment, cultural and educational services for nearby communities, but is also a base for the local volunteer organization.