Visitors pose with Ningbo-themed souvenirs at the city's exhibition booth during the 2026 Pyeongtaek World Culture Week in South Korea. [Photo/Yongpai app]

Traditional music, comic mime and hands-on cultural exhibits from Ningbo are drawing attention at the 2026 Pyeongtaek World Culture Week in South Korea, giving local residents a taste of the Chinese port city's heritage.

A delegation from Ningbo took a range of performances and cultural displays to the event, from traditional pipa music to interactive exhibits featuring local crafts and city landmarks.

At the opening ceremony, a medley of pipa pieces titled Sounds of Ningbo introduced audiences to the elegance of traditional Chinese music. A mime performance, Reflections of Mingzhou, followed with a humorous take on everyday life in ancient Ningbo, drawing laughter and applause without a word of dialogue.

Away from the stage, the Ningbo-themed exhibition has offered visitors a chance to explore the city's cultural heritage up close. Traditional Chinese knot buttons, silk fans, city-themed puzzles, and other creative products were put on display, alongside images of Ningbo's landmarks and local specialties. Visitors were able to handle the crafts, learn about traditional techniques, and discover more about the city's history.

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 range of Ningbo's intangible cultural heritage after visiting the exhibition.

Pyeongtaek city official Lee Jae-sik also expressed hope that continued cultural exchanges would further strengthen ties between the two cities, with their shared identity as port cities offering a natural basis for closer connections.

Ningbo and Pyeongtaek became international sister cities in February 2002. More than two decades of exchanges have since helped build connections between their communities. The festival offers another opportunity for residents to experience each other's cultures and explore future cooperation in tourism and people-to-people exchanges.