International community walks for friendship, health
- By Corey Cooper
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 29, 2012
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As drummers signal the start, walkers line up at Donggongmen, the east entrance to the Summer Palace, Beijing, to begin the eight-kilometer trek around Kunming Lake on Oct. 27. The "Walk Around Kunming Lake For International Friends" is a twelve-year Beijing tradition. [Corey Cooper/China.org.cn] |
Even for a major tourist destination as the Summer Palace, one Chinese tourist couldn't help but be surprised at the volume of foreign friends marching though the palace gate last Sunday.
"There's so many of them, and so many different kinds!" The unwitting visitor remarked.
Toting yellow backpacks and proud "walker" stickers, Over 300 of Beijing's international student, professional, and diplomatic community proudly strolled through the palace's eastern gate for the 2012 "Walk Around Kunming Lake For International Friends," a twelve-year Beijing tradition.
According to organizers for this year's event, which included the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Foreign Affairs office of Beijing Municipal People's Government, the walkers of all ages represented over 100 different countries.
The eight-kilometer course commences at Donggongmen, southeast of the main palace complex, and encircles beautifully-landscaped Kunming Lake, originally constructed during the Yuan Dynasty in 1291 as a reservoir for the capital. The lake was incorporated into the palace gardens from 1750 to 1764 during Emperor Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty.
One member of Finland's diplomatic corps, who attended the walk with a visiting delegation of businesspeople from his country, said he relished the chance to be outdoors. "Most of the time I'm between the walls of a compound, it's great to be outside in this beautiful setting," he said.
Students from around the globe got a chance to show their diverse talents at a pre-walk performance competition, which featured Korean circle dancing and African drumming, and a sign-language dance routine, among others. The best groups were awarded prizes at a ceremony before the walk commenced.
The event's theme ‘Beauty of Life, Sprit of Beijing' embodies the friendly hospitality of Beijing and advocates a day people can relax with a leisurely walk instead of racing, organizers said.
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