Ten international friends from countries including Russia, the United Kingdom, India, Brazil and Uganda gathered on Oct 31 in Xihu district, Hangzhou of Zhejiang province, to explore Hangzhou's impact on China's high-quality development.

Aboard a boat in Xixi National Wetland Park, the expats were captivated by the area's ecological beauty. Amid the guide's introduction, they eagerly took pictures of the charming landscape.

Visiting Hangzhou for the first time left a lasting impression on Joe Burns from Scotland. "I've been on a few boat journeys in China, but here it is different, with more varieties of fruits and plants. It's very green, much bigger, and the fact that it's in the middle of the city is very impressive," he said.

Subsequently, the group visited the Xixi Shuihu Culture Exhibition Hall within the park, delving into the deep connections between Shuihuzhuan, or Water Margin, and Hangzhou.

Harriet Sonia from Uganda admired the legendary stories of the Water Margin heroes. "The story depicts qualities of loyalty and tenacity that are celebrated in Chinese history. This experience gave me a greater appreciation for Chinese history and culture."

At the Wensan Digital Life Block, the international delegation visited the exhibition of the original manuscripts for Black Myth: Wukong and experienced the H-box digital twin technology.

The expats had the opportunity to "visit" Notre Dame Cathedral at the M511 Complex. Using VR technology, they transcended time and space to witness Notre Dame's reconstruction and transformation throughout the ages, exploring nearly every corner of the iconic cathedral.

"It's incredible how technology can provide these unique experiences," said Thales Saque from Brazil. "It's as if we were there, exploring the environment, learning details that even visitors to Paris would not have access to. Hangzhou has been a great milestone for this high-quality development.

"Futuristic technologies are definitely here, and may more and more people have the opportunity to live these experiences," he added.