A delegation of internet celebrities composed of Burmese internet bloggers and media practitioners visit Shanxi province to deepen cultural exchanges between China and Myanmar. [Photo by Zhang Shurui for chinadaily.com.cn]

A delegation of internet celebrities composed of Burmese internet bloggers and media practitioners recently visited Shanxi province to deepen cultural exchanges between China and Myanmar.

Joy Ni Ni Win, a 30-year-old internet blogger with nearly a million followers, enjoyed a stroll through the Fen River scenic area in Taiyuan. "This reminds me of Myanmar's mother river, the Irrawaddy River," she said. "The Fen River is also the mother river of Shanxi. The two rivers nourish the fertile land on both sides, and the local people live and reproduce by the water."

After learning that the ecological management of the Fen River has been going on for 25 years, 33-year-old internet blogger Bo Bo Shwe said: "This achievement cannot be separated from the joint efforts of the local government and the people."

The delegation arrived at the Jinyuan Confucian Temple in Taiyuan to see the statue of Confucius. Niniwen said: "The people of Myanmar are very familiar with Confucius, and many primary and secondary schools hang portraits of Confucius. Now that I have personally experienced Confucian culture, I feel a great sense of familiarity."

During the visit, the delegation visited Taiyuan, Linfen, Yuncheng, and popular scenic spots, experiencing intangible cultural heritage skills along the way, such as paper-cutting and silk-cutting enamel.

When it comes to Shanxi's characteristics, noodles are an unavoidable topic. Min Swan Pyae, a 30-year-old host of Myanmar's Fortune TV station, is visiting Shanxi for the second time. "Each restaurant has its own unique flavor, and the noodle varieties are so diverse," he said.

"This journey has refreshed my understanding of Shanxi," said Niniwen. "I hope that China and Myanmar can continue to strengthen exchanges, so that both sides can have a more objective and comprehensive understanding of each other."

Zhang Shurui contributed to the story.