Every night in Jinan University in Guangzhou, a group of students plays diabolo(空竹) as a crowd watches on in amazement.
Chen Zhelun, 25, a Malaysian-Chinese started the diabolo club, which helps to increase the popularity of this traditional Chinese game. He is one of many students expressing their interest in the country's cultural heritage(遗产) by starting clubs.
The diabolo, which came from China, is popular among Chinese living in Malaysia.
"We played diabolo from primary school onward. I thought I could find someone to play with in China, but only a few students knew about it. So I started a club to develop it." says Chen.
To Chen's surprise, the old game has interested a huge crowd-more than 1,000 students have joined the club.
"It keeps your body strong and it's fun," says Chen.
But some prefer quieter activities. Every weekend, one classroom in Shenzhen University is always crowded, but it's unusually silent. The members of Lanting Calligraphy Club are writing Chinese characters with traditional brushes.
Fan Dongling, 21, a student in Shenzhen University, says it's a shame that young people no longer enjoy the beauty of Chinese characters.
Although her club is quiet, Fan says it keeps members healthy, mentally and physically.
"Some student think traditional things are outdated. They like celebrating Western festivals like Christmas or Valentine's Day, but they seldom pay attention to traditional ones," says Kong Yanquan, 21, a student in Guangxi University.
As head of the traditional Chinese local operas club, Kong plans to put modern elements(元素) into traditional culture to get students to join his club.
"I think it's everyone's duty to save and develop China's traditional culture among young people," he says.
