A delegation of media agency representatives from European and Asian countries started a two-day tour to Jinan, capital city of East China's Shandong province on June 30.

The group visited some of the city's renowned scenic spots including Daming Lake, Baihuazhou Historical and Cultural Block and the Mingfucheng Historical Area.

With several hundred fresh water springs dotting the landscape of Jinan, the city's ancient network of springs and old alleys, as well as woodblock printing left a deep impression on these foreign guests.

Sponsored by the China International Publishing Group and the Information Office of the Shandong Provincial Government, the event invited media agencies from Afghanistan, Palestine, Philippines, Lebanon, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

The activity aims to offer foreign media agencies a platform to get closer to Shandong's traditional culture and latest achievements with a trip to the cities of Jinan, Zibo, Qingdao and Weifang in the province from June 30 to July 6.

A delegation of media agency representatives from European and Asian countries starts a tour to Jinan, capital city of East China's Shandong province, on June 30. [Photo by Zhang Renyu/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Foreign Journalists are fascinated by sugar-coated figurines and the craftsman's stunning technique at Baihuazhou Historical and Cultural Block in Jinan, East China's Shandong province. [Photo by Zhang Renyu/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A participant tastes sweet spring water during the trip to Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo by Zhang Renyu/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Woodblock printing, a traditional technique in ancient China, enchants foreign journalists in Jinan. [Photo by Zhang Renyu/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A visitor concentrates on making a woodblock print. [Photo by Zhang Renyu/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Proud of their handiwork, foreign journalists show off their woodblock prints in Jinan, Shandong province on July 1. [Photo by Zhang Renyu/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]