Photo: Lu Wenao/Global Times

The cultural fair has become a top destination for foreign athletes at the FISU Games Village in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, as they swarm to the place every night to experience China's cultural diversity.

A range of Chinese cultural elements, from handicrafts to musical instruments, appeared in the fair located next to the culture center of the Games Village. 

Fencer Alexander Zoons of the Netherlands was among the athletes who played the Chinese drum known as dagu, a traditional percussion instrument, as he celebrated at night with a rhythm.

American rowers Jack Dunn, Seth Parsons and Andrew Snow, unlike many other athletes who only arrived in China less than a week ago, have been here for over two weeks, as they were training in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province in preparation for the FISU Games. 

"The atmosphere, I think, it's very cool, though the weather is definitely very humid, you sweat a lot more," Parsons told the Global Times, though their focus on everyday training has prevented them from travelling around. 

"Everyone is very nice, people are very welcoming," Dunn told the Global Times on their first trip to China. "It's a great experience at such a beautiful place." 

The site has also become a popular spot for athletes as well as volunteers to trade their pins with each other, sharing the stories of how they got them. Panda-themed pins are among the most popular. 

Photo: Lu Wenao/Global Times

Greek water polo player Kechalaris Ioannis is already hoping to travel to the city to experience the diverse culture more, after playing pitch-pot, a traditional Chinese game that requires players to throw sticks from a distance into a pot.

"I like it. We can learn your culture of China easier because we don't have enough time to go outside and see," Ioannis told the Global Times. 

"We only went to see the pandas. We've seen videos on the internet about pandas doing funny things, but when we saw pandas laying around [in the panda center] … they are just so cute."

His teammate Charalampos Rompopoulos said they are waiting for the water polo competitions to finish to see if there's a chance to tour the city.

"[The volunteers] are very hardworking and very polite. They tried to help in every way they possibly can. And I'm very grateful for them. They're very helpful," Rompopoulos said, noting their first trip to China in Chengdu has been memorable. 

Qatari table tennis player Ahmed Saadawi is the extrovert of the village, greeting everyone he meets by saying "ni hao," hoping to make as many friends as possible.

"I used to have a Chinese coach," Saadawi told the Global Times. "It's a great opportunity to make some new friends here."