Gaomi Marathon meets traditional Chinese culture

The 2024 Gaomi Marathon recently kicked off at the Red Sorghum Film City in Gaomi, Weifang, Shandong province. About 7,000 runners participated, experiencing Nobel literature laureate Mo Yan's hometown and the culture of red sorghum.

Twenty-two international students from seven countries at the China-SCO Institute of Economy and Trade also took part in the event. After the marathon, the students explored the film city, eager to learn about traditional Chinese culture.

International students experience woodblock New Year paintings. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

International students engaged in hands-on activities with local artisans, creating Niejiazhuang clay sculptures, Gaomi paper-cutting, and woodblock New Year  paintings. This immersive experience deepened their understanding of Gaomi's national-level intangible cultural heritage.

Nona, a student from Kyrgyzstan, expressed her excitement, saying, "I really love Chinese culture, including calligraphy, painting, and paper-cutting, so I'm very happy to be here today."

International students experience Gaomi paper-cutting. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Gaomi has been promoting traditional Chinese culture through study tours and cultural exchanges, inviting international visitors to experience the richness of its heritage firsthand. (Edited by Lin Li)