Playing the health card

Speaking about how the old culture has been given a modern twist, Dai says: "You can see traces of the ancient Dian culture everywhere in this park. And although you may have experienced entertainment facilities at other parks, the ones here give you a very different feeling."

As for the China India Yoga Festival, it introduced India's traditional medicine system Ayurveda, of which yoga is an important part.

Li Zhaosheng, deputy director of Kunming's health development office, says: "Yoga has connections with the health industry. Our activities will deepen the understanding of each other."

An Ayurveda class, traditional Chinese and Indian medicine forums, a photograph exhibition of Indian culture were among the activities held during the cultural week.

Sridharan was invited to give some lectures on yoga. He says he feels happy about Chinese interest in yoga.

His colleague V. Srinivasan was interested in tai chi after watching a performance at the opening ceremony of the cultural week.

Dai says the China India Yoga Festival serves as a platform for mutual understanding, and this is not the first time Kunming is hosting this festival.

"When we first held the festival in 2016, it did not have so many activities. But now we have added local cultural, health and tourism aspects to it, and in the future we will add more," Dai says.

"Last year, a large wedding was held in Kunming by an Indian family after they got to know of this city through the festival."

Contact the writer at wangru1@chinadaily.com.cn