By Jin Lu

Traditional pipa music, a silent comedy performance and craft displays are introducing South Korean audiences to Ningbo's cultural heritage at the 2026 Pyeongtaek World Culture Week.

A delegation from Ningbo brought performances and a city-themed exhibition to the festival, offering visitors a closer look at the Chinese port city's traditions, landmarks and local specialties.

At the opening ceremony, musicians performed Sounds of Ningbo, a pipa medley showcasing the traditional Chinese instrument. The performance was followed by Reflections of Mingzhou, a comic mime depicting everyday life in ancient Ningbo. The wordless sketch drew laughter and applause from the audience.

The Ningbo-themed exhibition gave visitors a chance to explore local crafts and landmarks. Displays included traditional Chinese knot buttons, silk fans and jigsaw puzzles featuring the city, alongside images of Ningbo's landmarks and local specialties. Visitors could handle the items, learn about traditional techniques and discover more about the city's history.

After visiting the exhibition, Shen Xiaogang, minister-counselor for cultural affairs at the Chinese Embassy in South Korea and director of the China Cultural Center in Seoul, praised the diversity of Ningbo's intangible cultural heritage.

Pyeongtaek city official Lee Jae-sik said he hoped continued cultural exchanges would strengthen ties between the two cities. As port cities, Ningbo and Pyeongtaek share common ground for developing closer connections, he said.

The two cities became sister cities in February 2002. Since then, exchanges have helped build ties between the cities' communities. The festival provides another opportunity for residents to learn about each other's cultures and explore cooperation in tourism and other people-to-people initiatives.