Thirteen nations converged on Longwan as tournament entrants traded tennis rackets for local heritage tours during the MT1000 Wenzhou tournament.
Competitors from France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, and nine other countries stepped away from the courts on Nov 11 and Nov 13 to explore Ming Dynasty fortifications and coastal cuisine, 66wz.com reported.
“It is amazing, and I took a lot of pictures, because when you are on the top of the wall you can see the city, the ocean and the other side,”
Hannu Hamari told 66wz.com while photographing the landscape.
The tour began at Yongchang堡, an anti-pirate fortress built during the Jiajing reign of the Ming dynasty as a private defensive stronghold constructed by local residents.
Players inspected the preserved ramparts, barbicans, and surrounding moats that define the provincial cultural site.
Inside the fortress, visitors tested movable type printing and traditional tie-dye techniques at the Time Imprint intangible cultural heritage exhibition hall.
Lunch followed at Meilinge, a provincial culinary experience pavilion located within a traditional courtyard complex.
Chefs served local specialties including Longwan yellow croaker, white shrimp, fish balls, noodlefish, and stir-fried rice noodles.
“I really like this trip, and I truly love seeing these traditional buildings—it is incredible,”
Stephen Bailey and Catherine Slye told 66wz.com during their walk along the flagstone paths.
Afternoon excursions linked modern urban developments with traditional crafts across the district.
Athletes visited the Zhitong Art Museum to view Ousu-style sculptures and traditional craft adaptations.
The delegation then toured the China Eye Valley ophthalmic industry innovation complex before concluding at the Song Dynasty-era Qianqian Street commercial district.
“I think all of this, and everywhere we went, was very good,”
Ronny Assa told 66wz.com regarding the multi-stop itinerary.
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