“One, two, three, go!” With a clear whistle, more than 600 Koreans living in Suzhou, representatives of Korean-invested enterprises based in Suzhou, and local Suzhou citizens set off from the foot of the Gate to the East. Amid laughter and cheers, they embarked on a walk along the Jinji Lake Walking Trail. In the bright spring of March, with pleasant weather and beautiful scenery, participants dressed in colorful sportswear, holding red balloons in their hands, instantly turned Jinji Lake into a vibrant sea of energy. The 2026 “Together in Unity, Hand in Hand for Progress” Suzhou Chinese-Korean Friendship Walk Around Jinji Lake officially kicked off.

The event is co-hosted by the Suzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Suzhou Korean Chamber of Commerce, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai and other organizations. Participants walked in small groups, some walking briskly and others stopping to take photos. They enjoyed the spring lake views on their walk, deepening friendship with each other through the activity.

The 14.5-kilometer route goes clockwise around Jinji Lake, passing iconic spots like the Gate to the East, Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre and Moon Harbor. It perfectly integrates Suzhou’s modern urban style with the Jiangnan cultural heritage. At the event, Chinese and Korean friends acted as “city promoters”, stopping to take photos along the way. They captured the beautiful scenery of Jinji Lake, Suzhou’s modern landmarks and the lively atmosphere of the activity, sharing them on WeChat and other social medias to showcase Suzhou’s charm and dynamic modern development to friends at home and abroad.

“This event allows us to present the beautiful scenery of Suzhou to our Korean friends and helps people stay healthy,” said Kim Hanjoong, President of the Suzhou Korean Chamber of Commerce. Suzhou and the Republic of Korea have long maintained close economic and trade ties as well as frequent cultural exchanges, with nearly 900 Korean-invested enterprises having settled in Suzhou and more than 5,000 Koreans living and working here. “This walk not only makes more people feel Suzhou’s livability, inclusiveness and vitality, but also strengthens mutual understanding and trust between Chinese and Koreans,” he noted.

Kim Taehyun, a student at Suzhou Singapore International School, was recording videos by Jinji Lake with his classmates. He told the reporter that he has lived in Suzhou with his parents for three years, as his father works at Samsung Semiconductor. Excited about the event, he said: “I love sports and gatherings. It’s great to have my parents and classmates here together.”