2023 "Charming China - Cultural Exhibition from Guangdong" entered Xiamen University Malaysia on 24 November 2023, offering staff and students a feast of music, photography, and intangible cultural heritage.

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Hosted by the Guangdong Information Office and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong, the event was organized by Nanfang Media Group, with the support of GDToday and Guangdong Photographers Association, aiming to showcase the profound heritage of Chinese culture and the charm of Lingnan to the world.

Lingnan culture refers to the regional Chinese culture of Guangdong and Guangxi. With the migration of the Cantonese people to nearby Hong Kong and Macau, as well as in many overseas communities such as Malaysia and Singapore, Lingnan or Cantonese culture has become an influential cultural force in the international community, and forms the basis of the cultures of Hong Kong and Macau.

The event includes the Charming Guangdong Photography Exhibition, the Canton Rhymes for Silk Road Concert by Guangdong National Orchestra, and an intangible cultural heritage exhibition, attracting over 500 guests from various sectors - including government departments, businesses, universities, and media - to experience the unique charm of Guangdong.

The Charming Guangdong Photography Exhibition was divided into three parts: "Rivers and Seas Converge in Guangdong, Where Everything Coexists Harmoniously", "Global Economic and Trade Connections Drive Innovation and Entrepreneurship", and "Lingnan Customs Mingle in Stunning, Affluent, and Fortunate Locales". With over 50 outstanding photographic works, the Exhibition spotlighted Guangdong's economic and trade development, customs, cultural heritage, natural scenery, and ecological environment to guests and audiences.

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The Canton Rhymes for Silk Road Concert featured a combination of old and new, ancient and modern, showcasing the exploration and innovation of contemporary Chinese chamber music. Guangdong National Orchestra, one of China's best performing arts groups with a history of 70 years, presented to the local audience a number of traditional Chinese music pieces, and used Chinese folk instruments to perform "Rasa Sayang", a popular folk song in Malaysia. The performance won a long-lasting applause from the audience.

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Meanwhile, Guangdong Paper-cutting, Foshan New Year Woodblock Prints, Dawu Clay Sculptures, and other Guangdong intangible cultural heritage projects, which were widely acclaimed in Bologna, Italy, and Cairo, Egypt, were once again presented in Malaysia under this opportunity. The visitors were allowed to experience the unique charm of Lingnan traditional culture in an immersive and interactive way.

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After the day's event, the Photo Exhibition will be moved to the University Library for the visitors to appreciate. Photographic works with bilingual illustrations in both Chinese and English will be helpful for staff and students to know more about the development of Guangdong and feel the charm of its culture.