Craftsmen taught the diplomats to make sachets and told them about the tradition of hanging mugwort and calamus leaves on door to fend off bugs, ghost and disease.

The diplomats also learned to make paper dragon boats and enjoyed yellow wine, a Chinese alcoholic beverage made from water and cereal grains, and zongzi, a traditional Chinese dish made from glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves.

"It's interesting to learn about Chinese culture," said Eli Elisabeth from Austria's consulate general in Shanghai. "Now I know the Dragon Boat Festival and its customs."