On July 13, more than 40 international students in summer school programs at Shanghai International Studies University became one of the latest groups to experience life as a Caoyang resident for a day.

The activity first came into being in the early 1980s as the country adopted its reform and opening-up policy and the number of overseas tourists grew.

The students experienced shuttlecock kicking and hopscotch, games that children and adults in the local alleys play. They also visited the local museums and shops to get a taste of what life was like in the community in the past as well as today.