Artists go on a field study trip to Gulangyu Island. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A delegation of nine prominent artists from Arab countries, including Oman, Morocco, and Egypt, arrived in Xiamen on April 16, marking the first stop of a cultural tour through Fujian province. The visit is part of the 14th "Silk Road: Artists' Rendezvous", a long-running cultural exchange initiative organized under the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.

From Xiamen's cruise terminal, the group crossed to Gulangyu Island, known for its eclectic blend of global architectural styles. Moving through its historic neighborhoods, artists encountered an easy mingling of cultures, as a local pianist's rendition of "Gulangyu's Waves" drifted across the lanes and Arab performers sang "Yala Habibi (Let's Go, My Dear)".

The trip continued in the afternoon with a visit to Time Meets Island, China's first Minnan-themed immersive cultural park. The delegation moved through reconstructed historical scenes and interactive exhibits highlighting Xiamen's maritime heritage and its role in regional ocean civilizations, experiencing Minnan culture through immersive installations.

Members of the delegation described Xiamen as a city where traditional culture sits alongside modern urban development, with its maritime landscapes and distinctive architecture offering rich material for future creative work.

In the following days, the group will visit Zhangzhou, Nanping, and Fuzhou, and attend the 2026 Fujian Provincial Conference on the Development of Cultural and Tourism Economy.