Chinese envoy witnesses Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, reflects on ancient India-China ties
Chinese envoy Xu Feihong shared glimpses of Varanasi’s Ganga Aarti.
China’s Ambassador to India Xu Feihong has shared glimpses of his visit to Varanasi, where he attended the iconic Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

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Taking to X, the Chinese envoy posted pictures from the spiritual ceremony, capturing the lamps, crowd, rituals and the atmosphere along the banks of the Ganga.
In the caption of his post, Feihong wrote, “Witnessing the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi. Thousands gathered — fire, flowers, chanting, the sacred river. Standing here, I feel what connects us across the Himalayas: two of the world's oldest civilizations, still alive and still burning bright.”
Take a look here at the post:
The post soon drew attention on social media, with many users reacting to the ambassador’s words on India’s cultural heritage and the civilisational links between India and China. His post amassed more than 50,000 views and received several responses from users.
Social media users react
Several users welcomed Xu Feihong’s appreciation of the spiritual ceremony. One user wrote, “Beautiful words. Varanasi truly represents the timeless soul of India.” Another said, “The Ganga Aarti is not just a ritual, it is an experience that stays with you forever.”
A third user reacted to the envoy’s reference to India and China as ancient civilisations and wrote, “Two old civilisations should always find ways to respect and understand each other.” Another comment read, “Glad to see the Chinese ambassador experiencing India’s spiritual heritage so closely.”
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Some users also praised the visuals from the ghat. A user added, “This is the cultural strength of India, alive through centuries.” Another wrote, “Such moments can help build people to people connections.”
Ganga Aarti remains a major attraction
The Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is among the most visited spiritual experiences in Varanasi. Every evening, priests perform the ritual with large brass lamps, chants, flowers and offerings to the river. Thousands of devotees, tourists and visitors gather at the ghat and on boats to witness the ceremony.
ABOUT THE AUTHORMahipal Singh ChouhanMahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. He primarily covers offbeat, trending and human-interest stories, with a focus on emerging social media trends, online conversations and real-world incidents that capture public attention. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal works on identifying and developing fast-moving digital stories, adding context and journalistic perspective to viral moments while maintaining accuracy, clarity and readability for online audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling. He holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. Beyond journalism, he has a keen interest in history and sports and enjoys expanding his general knowledge.Read More

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