Mountain climbing participants at Xuedou Mountain. [Photo/Tide News]

Xuedou Mountain in Fenghua district, Ningbo, welcomed more than 500 climbers, photographers, and families from China and South Korea for the 2025 China-South Korea mountaineering festival on Dec 7.

The festival's 7-kilometer route began at Xuedou Temple Square, passing landmarks such as Feixue Pavilion, Qianzhang Rock, and Miaogao Terrace and crossing the dramatic Sanyintan Grand Canyon via cableway before reaching the summit.

Along the trail, supply stations, medical services, and cultural experience points offered safety and immersion, with folk performances, heritage displays, and local markets allowing visitors to experience the traditions of eastern Zhejiang.

Tailored programs, such as the Xuedou Mountain journey for South Korea, the blessing journey for Southeast Asia, and historical tours for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, are positioning Fenghua as a pilot zone for inbound tourism innovation. Since the launch of the sacred Xuedou Mountain tour in South Korea in 2013, the area has become a popular destination for South Korean travelers.

On the eve of the climb, South Korean participants joined a night tour of the Maitreya Altar, where dazzling lights created a dreamlike atmosphere. Organizers emphasized that the festival is not only a fitness event but also a bridge for cultural exchange, with Xuedou's Buddhist heritage offering a foundation for deeper cooperation across Asia.

Climbers from South Korea and China pose for a photo. [Photo/Tide News]