A chrysanthemum appreciation cultural event specially designed for expats in Shanghai was recently held in Yichuan Subdistrict, attracting participants from countries including Spain and Russia.

At Yichuan Park, 15,000 potted chrysanthemums formed a vibrant, radiant sea of flowers. Guided by Zhao Zhangyong, an inheritor of Shanghai's intangible cultural heritage of chrysanthemum cultivation, the international visitors not only admired the diverse forms of chrysanthemums but also gained deeper insight into the Eastern virtues embodied by the flower—resilience through frost, and elegance in simplicity.

The participants then experienced hands-on creation of chrysanthemum cloisonné coaster at the Half Marathon Suzhou Creek Station · 1690 Party Service Center. Using metal wires to outline chrysanthemum patterns, they transitioned from "appreciating" to "creating" the flower. Marina from Russia said that this is much more meaningful than just visiting. It made her feel she had truly touched a part of China's intangible cultural heritage.

Since becoming one of the first members of the Shanghai International Community External Information Service Alliance in April last year, Yichuan Road Subdistrict has organized a series of cultural activities integrated with traditional festivals and intangible heritage. These have included legal education tours on dragon boat festival boats, Mid-Autumn Festival folk custom experiences, and opera events for the Double Ninth Festival.

The 1690 Party Service Center also offers convenient services for international residents, such as policy consultations and social activities, through bilingual guides and introductory videos.