Tennis players discover Ningbo's cultural treasures

Wang Xiyu (right) and McCartney Kessler (second from the left) learn to make dingsheng gao. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

During a break from training for the 2025 Ningbo Open, Chinese tennis player Wang Xiyu and American athlete McCartney Kessler visited the historic Qing'an Hall in Ningbo on Oct 12. Their journey deeply immersed them in Ningbo's maritime heritage and Grand Canal culture.

Built in the mid-19th century, Qing'an Hall is a nationally protected site and part of the UNESCO-listed China Grand Canal. It once served as a key hub for grain transport and maritime affairs, symbolizing Ningbo's role as a gateway on the Maritime Silk Road.

Guided through the serene courtyards, the athletes admired intricate wood carvings and stone pillars crafted by Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) artisans. "Such craftsmanship requires incredible focus," Wang remarked.

At the ancient opera stage, they watched a performance of the Yongju Opera, which vividly portrayed Jiangnan life. The highlight came with making dingsheng gao, a traditional victory-themed rice cake. Wang, a self-proclaimed sweet tooth, enjoyed every step, joking, "More filling makes it more satisfying — just like dumplings!"

Kessler impressed with her quick mastery of the process and praised the cake's unique flavor. "This gave me a deeper understanding of Ningbo," she said.