Wang is playing the flute. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]

When talking about Fujian, Wang Kaiqing's descriptions are filled with details of her daily life: The familiar tones of her mother and uncles chatting in dialect, the offerings and rituals of Tiangong (or the Jade Emperor) worshipping and the family gatherings during the Qingming Festival to offer sacrifices to the ancestors. These traditions, passed down from generation to generation, form an invisible thread that ties her closely to Fujian, even though she grew up thousands of miles away in Malaysia.

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, Fujian culture remains everywhere. Many Fujianese still talk in the dialect, Gezi Opera fills the air during the Zhongyuan Festival, and new shop openings are celebrated with lion dances and drumming. Yet, what tugs most at Wang's heart is the taste from family: Fujian rick cake, Five-Spice Meat Rolls, prawn noodles, and more. These flavours are bound up with her memories of her hometown, making her feel like she has never truly left.

This August, Wang returned to Fujian as a young reporter. Drifting along the Jiuqu River on a bamboo raft, she enjoyed beautiful Mount Wuyi on both sides. She squeezed through the narrow rock passage of Yixiantian, literally "A Ray of Sky" , both thrilled and interested. A performance of Impression Da Hong Pao, which tells the story of tea culture, left her stunned with a 360-degree rotating stage. But what was most unforgettable to her were the traditional costumes, making her feel as if she had truly stepped back into ancient times. These experiences brought to life what books could only describe, offering her a fresh perspective on Fujian's culture.

For Wang, such cultural exchange activities are invaluable, especially for overseas Chinese youth. "They allow us not only to experience different cultures, but also to better understand our ancestral roots," she says. After returning to Malaysia, she eagerly shared her journey with relatives and friends, hoping to spark their curiosity about the depth and beauty of Chinese culture.

Beyond daily traditions, Wang also finds inspiration in her hobbies. She loves singing, especially songs that blend traditional opera with modern music. These melodies instantly take her into a world of lyrics, painting vivid images through sound. She has looked up the stories behind these words, discovering Chinese history and folklore. She has also developed an interest in calligraphy and practices through online tutorials, turning Chinese characters into an art of cultural expression.

From the customs at home, to her immersive trip to Fujian, to a passion for music and calligraphy, Wang has gradually fallen in love with Chinese culture and formed a deeper understanding of her hometown. She is even attempting to write a short novel, telling her own stories in Chinese.

Wang's journey is a vivid example of how overseas Chinese youth seek their roots. It's not an abstract concept, but something felt and lived: In the sights they see, the traditions they inherit and the passions they discover. Fujian's culture becomes not just a memory from afar, but a warm and essential part of their personal growth.