(Yicai Global) Jan. 26 -- Visitors from abroad to Yu Garden, a classical Chinese garden and popular tourist market in downtown Shanghai, were able to immerse themselves in traditional Chinese culture during a special event to mark the arrival of the Lunar New Year next week.

Over 100 people from around the world, including residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, had the chance to try their hand at making the city’s famous dumplings, watch herbal pharmacists at work and learn how to embroider, not to mention enjoy the garden’s Lantern Festival which boasts lanterns of all shapes and sizes.

Chinese New Year is an important occasion for family reunions and to celebrate the arrival of spring. This year it falls on Feb. 1.

A chef from Yuyuan Garden’s famed Nanxiang Steamed Bun restaurant, where people often line up in long queues outside, explains the intricate techniques behind making succulent ‘little dragon dumplings’ or ‘xiaolongbao.’

Known for their wafer-thin skin, elegant shape and juicy filling, Chief Chef You Yumin drew quite a crowd. She also let the visitors have a go. Children were keen to join in.

A pharmacist from Tonghanchun Pharmacy, a 239-year-old traditional Chinese medicine store, demonstrates the fine workings of its trademark herbal medicine cutter. A root was a diameter of less than 1.5 centimeters can be sliced into 108 thin and transparent pieces.

Guests try their hand at intricate Suzhou embroidery.

Editor: Kim Taylor