Page 13 - Yunnan Tourism Culture Times (91)

13
CITY LIFE | 城事

Pokhara Profile 博克拉小档案

Pokhara, the second largest city in Nepal, is capital Kathmandu, with an area of 464 square
located at the junction of Nepal’s Western Devel- kilometers and a population of about 410,000.
opment Region, Gandaki Zone, and Kaski District. Pokhara, literally meaning “Lake City” in Nepali,
It is about 200 kilometers away from the Nepali is the most famous scenic spot in the country.

Kunming Profile 昆明小档案

Kunming, the capital of Yunnan, is located on a highland freshwater lakes such as Dianchi Lake
low-latitude plateau in the middle of the province. and Yangzonghai Lake, as well as numerous rivers
Due to its mild climate throughout the year, it is of various sizes. It has a history of more than 2,200
referred to as “Spring City”. Kunming is home to years as a city.

Today, horse bells still seem to be ringing in the athletes gathered on Lake Phewa and competed in
mountains. In the past, along the Tea-Horse Road, the this water event.
tea leaves produced in Yunnan made their way into At the end of 2022, the Yunnan People’s Associa- Read more 阅读多一点
Nepal. Tramping over mountains and through ravines, tion for Friendship with Foreign Countries officially
horse caravans not only brought goods and forged a handed over the Spring City Friendship Park project ● In July 2013, a delegation from Pokhara participated in the Ji-
good-neighborly friendship between the two sides of to the Pokhara Municipal Government. This project aozi Snow Mountain Cross-Country Challenge Series.
the Himalayas. is just one of a series of people’s wellbeing projects ● In early June 2014, a delegation from Pokhara participated in
Today, the two cities, both featuring snow-capped aimed at linking the hearts of Nepali and Yunnan peo- the 2 China-South Asia Expo. In late October of the same year,
nd
mountains and lakes, have relied on highland sports ples. Today, while providing the locals with a place a mountaineering team from Pokhara participated in the Jiaozi
to carry out exchanges that are welcomed by their for fitness and leisure, the park is also a permanent Snow Mountain Cross-Country Challenge.
peoples. witness of Yunnan-Pokhara friendship. ● In June 2015, the then president of the Pokhara Branch of the
From 2013 to 2018, many citizens of Pokhara Years on, the two cities have extended mutual Nepal-China Friendship Association led a delegation to partici-
participated in highland sports events in Kunming assistance to overcome difficulties together. In No- pate in the China-South Asia Expo.
such as the Jiaozi Snow Mountain Climbing Festival, vember 2014, Kunming donated two fire engines to ● In February and November 2016, Pokhara and Kunming sent
Jiaozi Snow Mountain Cross-Country Challenge, and Pokhara. In the next year, when a fire broke out in mutual delegations to participate in the Jiaozi Snow Mountain
International Highland Half-Marathon. With Nepali a commercial area of Pokhara and the fire engines Cross-Country Challenge, the Kunming International Highland
athletes breaking records and challenging their limits rushed to the scene in time, the locals said excitedly: Half-Marathon, and the Pokhara Mountainous Cross-Country
in Yunnan, the peoples of the two cities have been “It was the two fire engines donated by Kunming Racing.
brought closer. that extinguished the fire and saved half of our city. ” ● In September 2017, a group of Nepali middle school students
Athletes from Kunming have also participated In April 2015, when Nepal was hit by a massive 8.1 visited Yunnan Province. In November 2017, the China (Kun-
in sports events in Pokhara. In October 2019, the 1 st magnitude earthquake, Kunming immediate joined ming) Tourism Trade Fair and Kunming International Friendly
Pokhara Mountainous Cross-Country Racing and in the relief efforts. During the COVID-19 epidemic, Cities Tourism Cooperation Conference was held, adopted the
Pokhara-Kunming International Friendly Cities Trail Kunming donated many batches of medical supplies “Kunming Declaration” and established the “Tourism Alliance”,
Run Series was held. When more than 40 athletes to Pokhara. of which Pokhara is one of the founding members.
from Kunming were running in the mountains and The snow-capped Machhapuchhure Mountain ● In August 2019, the 1st Nepal Mayors Training Program was
fields of Pokhara, enthusiastic local villagers in fes- is still reflected on Lake Phewa, where colorful- held in Kunming. (Yunnan Daily)
tive costumes cheered for these athletes while waving ly-painted dragon boats once churned the water;
both Chinese and Nepali national flags and throwing the black-headed seagulls still winter on Green
petals of best wishes into the air. Lake every year; and the icefalls are hanging high
The sports and cultural exchanges between the in the Jiaozi Snow Mountain. Standing by each
two cities are not limited to snow-capped mountains. other like mountains, Kunming and Pokhara are
st
This year, the 1 China-Nepal Friendship Dragon jointly opening a new chapter of friendship across
Boat Race was successfully held. Chinese and Nepali the Himalayas.