On February 12th, China Cultural Center Den Haag buzzed with laughter and the aroma of traditional delicacies during a hands-on workshop celebrating the Lantern Festival. Dutch travel experts, culture professionals, and young influencers gathered to roll dumpling wrappers, fold fillings, and taste sweet glutinous rice balls (tangyuan).


 
Tom Lops, a longtime China travel specialist demonstrated nimble dough-shaping skills honed through his extensive travels in China. "I’m taking a group to Guizhou this May," he said, flipping a perfectly round wrapper. "Nothing beats teaching Dutch travelers to make dumplings after hiking rice terraces."
 
First-time participant Mara grinned while cradling a lopsided dumpling. "It’s trickier than baking stroopwafels," admitted the 24-year-old student, eventually mastering the pleating technique with guidance from volunteers.
 
When steaming bowls of sesame-filled tangyuan arrived, food content creator Bas van Dijk noted cultural parallels: "The chewy texture reminded me of our traditional oliebollen — both sweets that make you smile during holidays."


 
Guests departed with boxes of handmade dumplings and embroidered snake pendants. "This little snake will ride in my suitcase to China," said Lops, attaching the charm to his luggage zipper.