players from multiple countries toured Dalian in depth,
immersing themselves in the city’s diverse charm.
As the battles of the 2025 FISU University World Cup Football heat up, the “Cultural Day” event was successfully held in Dalian on September 23. The city prepared a unique cultural experience for nearly 600 student players from 20 teams worldwide.
The players visited Dalian Forest Zoo, Dongguan Street, a historical district, and the World Music Culture Museum in Donggang Tourist Resort, a modern urban landmark. Amid their intense matches, they had a chance to deeply appreciate Dalian’s natural ecology, historical heritage, and urban vitality. Many players said that the tour not only relieved their pre-match stress but also left them with lasting impressions of this coastal city.
That morning, the first stop was Dalian Forest Zoo, nestled between mountains and sea. The panda house was undoubtedly the highlight. “Feiyun”, the panda, delighted the players with its playful antics, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Ignacio, a player from the University of Granada from Spain, lingered at the panda house:
“This is our first time seeing pandas. They’re so cute, unbelievable! It’s also my first time in Dalian. At the training base, we also tried Tai Chi and traditional Chinese painting. So far, everything has been great—we’re really enjoying it.”
In the afternoon, the team strolled into Dongguan Street, full of historical traces. As a microcosm of Dalian’s modern history, its preserved old buildings contrasted with western restaurants and cafés, allowing the players to feel the unique blend of Chinese and Western cultures. Xigang District also organized an intangible cultural heritage fair, martial arts performances, and street flash shows of kuaiban (traditional Chinese clapper talk), all of which gave visitors a taste of the cultural charm of this century-old street.
At the Donggang Tourist Resort, the World Music Culture Museum offered a completely different experience. The players immersed themselves in the musical traditions of various countries and, to the beat of lively drums, excitedly formed a “train dance” around the venue.
When talking about the tournament’s organization, many players spoke highly of it. Nelson, from the Santander Technological Units from Colombia, who currently holds the tournament’s top scoring record, said:
“This is my first time in China. The experience has been incredible. I’ve made many new friends both in matches and in cultural activities.”
After learning that Dalian is also a “city of football”, he added:
“I want to tell the children of Dalian: if you love it, then train hard and fight to the end!”
This “Cultural Day” event was carefully organized by the Dalian Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, in collaboration with related departments, districts, counties, and scenic areas. The purpose was not only to allow players to enjoy Dalian’s coastal scenery and experience traditional Chinese culture but also to leverage the influence of the FISU University World Cup Football to put the city’s tourism brand of “Travel in Dalian with the Games” on the map, boosting its international reputation and influence.
29 Sep
