More than 300 Chinese and foreign participants hiked an ancient trail on Yangtai Mountain in Sujiatuo town, Haidian district, Beijing, on Oct 18, marking Chongyang Festival, also known as the Double Ninth Festival. Traditionally, the festival is a time to honor elderly people and climb hills to enjoy the autumn scenery.
The participants joined the Haidian International Friendship Hiking Event at Yangtai Mountain as part of the third Daxishan Forest Life Culture Week, which runs until Oct 25.
The hikers walked part of the Lindsay Trail, named after British scholar Michael Lindsay, who traveled through the Western Hills, including Yangtai Mountain, during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).
Along the route, an outdoor photo exhibition recounted the stories of foreigners who supported the Chinese people during the World Anti-Fascist War. Organizers said the exhibition encouraged hikers to pause, view the displays and exchange ideas, while introducing Haidian district's revolutionary history with a global audience.
Michael Crook, chairman of the International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives, shared the history of the Gung Ho (meaning "working together") Movement. Launched in the late 1930s with international support, the network of industrial cooperatives helped bolster China's economy during the War of Resistance. Crook also spoke about the history of international friendship associated with the Western Hills.
After the hike, many participants visited the Harmony and Beauty Mind-Body Arts Fair on the mountain. More than 20 stalls showcased intangible cultural heritage crafts, including Miao ethnic group embroidery from Guizhou province and sand painting.
The program also featured tea ceremonies, mindfulness sessions and charity initiatives. Hands-on activities offered visitors opportunities to connect through art. In one activity, parents and children used fallen leaves to create a collage on an art installation.
The culture week reflects Sujiatuo town's efforts to bring ecology, technology, arts and well-being together in the Daxishan area, transforming its mountains and ancient trails into places where Chinese and foreigners can gather and recharge.
During the event, organizers also unveiled the Western Hills and Heartify Co-creation Base at a salon focused on the mental health of young professionals in science and technology. Supported by Heartify, a mutual-aid community dedicated to mental well-being, the base will host wellness activities and art therapy programs for young professionals.
