Discovering Fujian

This year's competition featured a distinctive highlight: Contestants embarked on an immersive cultural journey through Fujian. They explored places, such as Nanping, Ningde, Quanzhou, Fuzhou and Pingtan, delving into the region's rich history, cultural heritage, local characteristics and modern developments.

In Quanzhou, participants visited the Quanzhou Maritime Museum, where they gained insights into the city's UNESCO World Heritage Sites through the exhibition Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China, which highlighted 22 heritage sites that connected Quanzhou's city, port and hinterland during the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, showcasing the city's allure as a World Heritage Site.

For Rivas, a graduate in international trade, the museum visit was enlightening. "I didn't realize that each ship had unique features," she says. "I learned so much about the history of the Maritime Silk Road."